The Saudi Pro League is starting today (Friday) which has been made popular among the fans by the participation of star footballers from all over the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo Saudi Football After joining Al Nasr Club, he said that the Saudi Pro League will soon be among the top five leagues in the world and now his claim seems to be coming true.
The Saudi Pro League is known as the ‘Roshan Saudi League’ (RSL) due to its sponsorship and started in the 70s when the first season of the league was held in 1976.
A total of 18 clubs are participating this season and this time round the RSL will feature eight foreign players per team, making it a league studded with international stars.
A season traditionally lasts from August to May and during this time each club faces the other club twice. Thus each club will have to play 34 matches. Teams are ranked on the league table based on points.
There is a system of communication between the RSL and the Saudi First Division League. The three lowest placed teams in the RSL (16th, 17th and 18th) are relegated to the First Division and the top three teams from the First Division are promoted to the RSL.
The most successful club
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Al-Hilal Club of the capital Riyadh holds the record for the most successful team in the league, having won 18 titles in the history of the league. The same club won the title in 2021/22.
Jeddah’s ‘Ittihad’ club won the title last season and the club has lifted the league championship trophy nine times in total.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Riyadh club ‘Al Nasr’ have also won nine titles with the last victory coming during the 2018/19 season.
Al-Shabaab, another club from Riyadh, has won six victories while Jeddah club Al-Ahly has won the title three times. Dammam’s ‘Itfaq’ and Al-Fatah’s ‘Al-Fath’ clubs have won the championship twice and once respectively.
Overall, Riyadh’s clubs dominate the league with a total of 33 titles.
What is unique about this season?
RSL have received significant investment this season, attracting big names in the game such as France’s Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez.
In June of this year, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman inaugurated the project of investment and privatization of sports clubs.
Under this measure Saudi Arabia K Fund’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired 75 percent of the shares in the top four most popular clubs in the kingdom, which include Al-Halal, Al-Tahad, Al-Nasr and Al-Ahli.
Sports are key to the Crown’s Vision 2030 plans.
Fans of Saudi football club Al-Hilal chant slogans during a Saudi Pro League match against Al-Ittihad on March 23, 2023. The match was held at King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah (AFP).
The stars of this season
The biggest stars from around the world will be seen playing in the Saudi League during this season, including Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane, Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, Sergej Malenkovic, Fabno. , featuring Roberto Fabio and Jordan Henderson.
Important matches
With the arrival of new talent in the Saudi league, fans are expecting some tough matches this season.
Following are the details of some important and thorny contests.
Al-Tifaq vs Al-Nasr – August 14
Al-Nasr vs Al-Shabaab – August 29
Al-Tahad vs Al-Hilal – 01 September
Al Tihad vs Al Ahli – 07 October
Al Hilal vs Al Ahli – 26 October
Al Hilal vs Al Nasr – 30 November
Al-Tahad vs Al-Nasr – 14-16 December
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**Interview with Sports Analyst Ahmed Al-Farsi on the Growth of the Saudi Pro League**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Ahmed! The Saudi Pro League has started its new season, and we’ve seen significant changes, including the influx of international stars. What do you think of the league’s evolution, particularly with Cristiano Ronaldo setting a new scoring record last season?
**Ahmed Al-Farsi:** Thank you for having me! The growth of the Saudi Pro League has been remarkable. When Ronaldo joined Al Nasr, he not only brought attention to the league but also raised the competitive standard. Setting a season scoring record is a testament to the quality of football being played, even if Al Hilal clinched the title.
**Interviewer:** Many fans are excited about the participation of players like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante this season. How does this affect the league’s reputation on a global scale?
**Ahmed Al-Farsi:** It’s a game-changer for the RSL. Attracting high-profile players enhances the league’s visibility and credibility. As Ronaldo stated, the league is on its way to becoming one of the top five leagues in the world, and with these signings, that claim starts to seem more realistic.
**Interviewer:** What do you think about the new structure allowing eight foreign players per team?
**Ahmed Al-Farsi:** This is a strategic move to elevate the league’s competitiveness and attract more fans. More international players mean a greater variety of playing styles, which can only benefit local talent and elevate the overall matchday experience for fans.
**Interviewer:** How crucial is the investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund for the future of the league?
**Ahmed Al-Farsi:** It’s critical. This financial backing not only helps secure talented players but also aids in developing infrastructure, youth academies, and overall league operations. The investments align with the broader Vision 2030 initiative to promote sports and tourism in Saudi Arabia.
**Interviewer:** Looking forward, what should we expect from this season?
**Ahmed Al-Farsi:** Fans should prepare for an exciting season with more intense rivalries and possibly surprising outcomes. The performances of teams will be elevated, and with the promotion and relegation system in place, every match will matter more than ever. I expect to see both established stars and local talent shine on this grand stage.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ahmed, for sharing your insights. It will be exciting to see how this season unfolds!
**Ahmed Al-Farsi:** My pleasure! Let’s keep an eye on the league; it’s just getting started!
