How have the big names to transfer to the Saudi Pro League fared so far? | OneFootball

Saudi Pro League clubs have embarked on a significant spending spree over the past couple of years as those in charge seek to grow the league.

Some of the biggest names in world football currently play their football in Saudi Arabia, which is also set to host the World Cup in 2034, but the big stars who moved to the middle eastern nation have had mixed fortunes so far.

Here’s how the biggest names to transfer to Saudi clubs have fared since their transfers…

Cristiano Ronaldo

The biggest name to move to Saudi Arabia and one of the all-time greats, Ronaldo has enjoyed plenty of success for Al Nassr since his move there in December 2022. The Portuguese striker has scored 74 goals in 85 games in all competitions for the club and has certainly helped to draw attention to the league, but failed to win the competition last season by finishing runners up and also lost in the cup final.

Karim Benzema

The former Ballon D’Or winner and Real Madrid striker endured a frustrating first season in Saudi Arabia, missing game time through injury problems and scoring just 13 goals in 29 games for Al Ittihad, who finished fifth last season. He made a flying start to this season, though, scoring eight goals in eight league games before missing the last two games with a muscle injury.

N’Golo Kante

The former Chelsea midfielder was heavily linked with a move back to the Premier League in the summer but stayed put with Benzema at Al Ittihad having joined them the previous summer. Despite his previous injury problems, he managed 30 games for the club last season as his side finished fifth, but is still playing at a high level which has prompted European sides to tempt him with a move away from the middle east.

Neymar

The Brazillian legend has endured a torrid time in Saudi Arabia. Aside from Ronaldo, he is arguably the second biggest name to make the move to the country but after a year out with a cruciate ligament injury, recently returned to action before suffering another injury. His team have dominated domestically but he has not played any real part in them doing so.

Riyad Mahrez

The former Man City winger left the club following an excellent treble-winning season and shone in his debut season in Saudi Arabia, scoring 12 goals and recording 14 assists in all competitions as his team finished third. His productivity has slowed this season though, scoring just once in the opening ten league games.

Sadio Mane

Mane made the move to Ronaldo’s Al Nassr last summer from Bayern Munich and scored 13 league goals in his debut season. He has started this campaign well too, with three goals and five assists to his name and still looks a very good player.

Roberto Firmino

Firmino joined Al Ahli following an outstanding eight years at Liverpool and scored nine goals in 32 league games last season. Paired with Mahrez in attack, their side have struggled to really challenge the dominant Al Hilal, however.

Ivan Toney

One of the newer faces in the Saudi Pro League, Toney made the move to Al Ahli this summer to link up with Mahrez and Firmino. He has so far scored eight goals in three league games but has yet to score in the AFC Champions League.

Ruben Neves

Neves raised a few eyebrows when he moved to Al Hilal while seemingly in the prime of his career. It has certainly helped his current club, however, who won the league and cup last season and lead the way this year too with Neves playing a key role in that success, notching 12 assists last season.

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Mitrovic has been perhaps the best player in Saudi Arabia since his move last summer. He scored 28 goals in 28 league games last season to help Al Hilal to the title and has netted 11 times in 10 league games this season. He also scored eight in ten in the AFC Champions League last season before being knocked out by UAE’s Al Ain, who went onto win it.

Joao Cancelo

Joined Al Hilal this summer and already has six assists in 14 games in all competitions.

Aymeric Laporte

Played 40 times in all competitions last season as Al Nassr finished runners up. His move to Saudi Arabia has not impacted his international career, with the defender playing a big part in Spain’s Euros winning team.

Fabinho

Managed only 19 games with Al Ittihad in his debut season with the club because of injury problems but has so far avoided any knocks this season, playing all ten league games.