The Final Stretch: 10 Saudis to Watch | OneFootball

The Roshn Saudi League is set for a thrilling conclusion with the title race, the top four battle and the scramble to avoid relegation finely poised heading into the closing two months of the season.

Focus will for sure be trained on the league’s foreign stars, wondering whether Al Ittihad's Karim Benzema or Al Hilal's Aleksandar Mitrovic can lead their side to the RSL crown, or if Cristiano Ronaldo can inspire Al Nassr to an outside title challenge.

But it’s not just those imported to the RSL that are set to take centre stage, with Saudi Arabian players also primed to be front and centre of the action.

So, which exciting stars should you be watching out for? We have you covered with a suggested 10 – although, such is the depth of local talent, there could have been many, many more.

Jehad Thikri - Al Qadsiah

The 23-year-old defender has been a revelation at promoted club Al Qadsiah as they push for a top-three finish in their first season back in the top flight in four years.

Without any prior RSL experience, he’s looked at home alongside former Real Madrid captain Nacho, learning from his experience and blossoming into one of Saudi Arabia’s best young defensive prospects.

Fighting on two fronts, having last week made the King’s Cup final, Thikri will be integral in Al Qadsiah's push for silverware - and continental qualification for the first time since winning the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

Mukhtar Ali - Al Ettifaq

Having been starved of opportunity at Al Nassr, the former Chelsea academy product made the move to Al Ettifaq in January in search of regular game-time.

The arrival of Saad Al Shehri shortly afterwards, Ali’s former coach at Under-23 level, was an unexpected bonus, as he now has someone in charge who knows his quality and what he can deliver.

Injury has kept him sidelined in recent weeks, but Ali is poised for a big finish to the season as Al Ettifaq look to continue their resurgence under Al Shehri.

Feras Al Buraikan - Al Ahli

It’s been a relatively frustrating year for the forward after such an impressive season last time out, when he registered 15 goals and seven assists.

The arrival of Ivan Toney has limited Al Buraikan’s opportunities somewhat so far – to date, he has two goals and four assists. But his quality remains, and while things might not have gone his way to this point, there’s plenty of time to turn that around as Al Ahli look to jump back into the top four.

Salem Al Dawsari - Al Hilal

The standout Saudi player of the past decade, the Al Hilal captain continues to deliver year after year - and this season has been no different.

In a star-studded champions’ attack, Al Dawsari has amassed seven goals and 11 assists, equalling his career-best 18 goals contributions he registered last season.

As Al Hilal eye back-to-back titles, Al Dawsari’s goals, overall attacking threat and leadership will be absolutely key if they are to overturn the five-point deficit to current leaders Al Ittihad.

Musab Al Juwayr - Al Shabab

The attacking midfielder has been a star on the rise for a few seasons now and, after an impressive campaign last season for Al Shabab on loan from Al Hilal, he has taken his game to a new level this term.

The consistency of his performances has been impressive, underlined by Al Juwayr winning RSL Young Player of the Month every month of 2024-25 to date. He has four goals and seven assists. Still with top-four aspirations, if Al Shabab are to mount a challenge it will have a large part to do with Al Juwayr.

Abdullah Al Salem - Al Khaleej

The 32-year-old has become an unlikely hero this season for Al Khaleej, finding a string of form hitherto unseen from the Eastern Province striker.

With two spells at each of Al Ettifaq, Al Fayha and Al Khaleej, Al Salem is the top Saudi goalscorer this term with 10, which included a run of six goals in three appearances that catapulted him into national-team calculations.

Called up and capped during the most recent international window, it’s been a late bloom for Al Salem. But, no doubt, he’ll be hoping the best is yet to come.

Ayman Yahya - Al Nassr

Another whose talent has been known for some time, the 23-year-old has made a huge impact this season as Al Nassr fight to stay in the title race.

Three goals and one assist, all in his past six RSL appearances, have made Yahya an important impact player for manager Stefano Pioli, and a very handy foil for the likes of Ronaldo and Jhon Duran. Understandably, the pair attract most of the attention from opposition defences.

Having earned the trust of his Italian manager, Yahya looks set to finally deliver on his undoubted potential.

Nawaf Al Aqidi - Al Fateh

The Saudi Arabia No.1 made the move mid-season from Al Nassr to join relegation-threatened Al Fateh on loan as they fight to stave off the drop.

It’s been a good move for both player and club. Al Aqidi has worked his way back into the national team on the back of regular first-team football, while Al Fateh have had a bounce since the goalkeeper's arrival, going from bottom to 15th - crucially, one place above the relegation zone.

While Al Aqidi has kept only one clean sheet, his performances have been impressive and helped stabilise a defence that leaked far too many goals at the beginning of the season.

Saad Al Mousa - Al Ittihad

The 22-year-old hasn’t skipped a beat since joining Al Ittihad last season, initially on loan from Al Ettifaq before the move was made permanent in the summer.

Again this campaign, as Al Ittihad surged to the top of the table and thus eye a second title in three years, Al Mousa has been a pillar of strength at the heart of Laurent Blanc’s defence.

The pressure will be intense in the final stretch, with Al Hilal chasing close behind – five points separate the current champions and the frontrunners – but despite his tender age, everything Al Mousa has shown so far suggests he is more than equipped to handle what’s thrown his way.

Saleh Al Amri – Al Raed

It’s difficult to emphasis enough how important the Saudi striker could be to his club as they attempt to escape relegation.

Al Amri, 31, has started 25 of Al Raed’s 26 RSL matches this season and, while he has found the net only four times, his work up top allows the likes of Karim El Berkaoui (eight goals in 15 games) and Amir Sayoud (six in 21) to work their magic behind.

However, rooted to the bottom and five points adrift of safety, the Buraidah club will really need Al Amri to start chipping in with goals if they are to survive.