The Saudi Pro League is set to begin its new season on Thursday, with an increased focus on developing the overall standard of Saudi Arabian football. This marks the fourth season since significant spending began in the summer of 2023, which saw $957 million (£710 million) invested.
While the league aims to move past an era of signing ageing megastars, Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is expected to be a dominant figure. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 102 goals in 107 league games for Al-Nassr and is 24 goals away from reaching 1,000 career goals, a milestone he could achieve this season.
Despite the investment, questions have been raised about whether the spending has improved the standard of local players, particularly after an early World Cup elimination. Currently, only one player from the 26-man World Cup squad, Saud Abdulhamid, plays overseas. There is a concern that local players often receive insufficient playing time due to foreign talent, especially in creative, goalscoring, and goalkeeping positions.
Al-Hilal has made the biggest signing of the summer so far, bringing in 24-year-old Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville for approximately €80 million (£68 million). Meanwhile, Al-Nassr, who won the league title in May, will be led by new coach Ange Postecoglou. Al-Ahli, who secured their second successive continental title in April, recently saw head coach Matthias Jaissle depart for Newcastle.