Al Hilal hotshot Marcos Leonardo leads RSL monthly awards for January | OneFootball

Prolific Al Hilal forward Marcos Leonardo has been recognised for his stunning January by being named the Roshn Saudi League Player of the Month.

The Brazilian youngster, signed in September from Portugal’s Benfica, enjoyed an incredible past month in which he scored nine goals in five matches to help fire the RSL champions back to the top of the table. The run – Leonardo found the net in all five January games – included a hat-trick against Al Fateh and braces at Al Orobah and, last time out, at home to Al Okhdood.

As it stands, the winger-cum-striker is gunning for the RSL golden boot in his debut season in the Kingdom; Leonardo has 12 goals this term, equal to teammate Aleksandar Mitrovic and bettered only by Al Ittihad's Karim Benzema (13) and Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo (15).

Leonardo’s teammate, Yassine Bono, was also acknowledged for his contribution during January, with the Moroccan named Goalkeeper of the Month. Bono, who kept three clean sheets from five games, is the reigning RSL Goalkeeper of the Year.

Elsewhere, Al Nassr manager Stefano Pioli was named Coach of the Month having guided the Riyadh club to four wins and a draw – and in the process propelling his team back into title contention. Al Nassr, runners-up last season, sit third after 18 rounds, eight points off the summit.

Completing the January honours list, Al Shabab midfielder Musab Al Juwayr collected a fourth straight Young Player of the Month award for his continued stellar performances at the capital club. The 21-year-old Saudi Arabian was a constant in the side that kept alive aspirations of a top-four finish, and scored in the 3-2 defeat at Al Ahli in Matchweek 14.

Al Shabab are sixth in the standings, nine points off both fourth-placed Al Qadsiah and Al Nassr.