When it comes to the Saudi Pro League, there are a number of superstars who attract global attention to what is still the new kid on the block in terms of established domestic leagues. The likes of Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are just a few of the established world stars who have lit up the league in recent seasons and continue to attract interest to the Middle East’s most significant league. Yet there is one name that stands above them all: one Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese legend has been tearing up the league for nearly three years now and unsurprisingly has finished top of the goalscoring charts in each of his two full seasons in Saudi Arabia playing for Al Nassr. Indeed, the goal-scoring machine has been almost a shoo-in with the betting sites with bonuses to claim the league’s Golden Boot award. Yet this year, CR7 will be joined by some more significant foreign imports who will continue to attract major interest to the league as well as give the Portuguese icon a run for his money in the scoring charts. Here we take a look at some of the major signings that will share a pitch with Ronaldo this season.
Darwin Nunez - €53m – Liverpool to Al-Hilal
He may not have arrived for the largest fee, but former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez will end up being the costliest acquisition by a Saudi club this summer transfer window as the add-ons involved in the price will take the total somewhere north of €60m for Al-Hilal. Uruguayan striker Nunez was a polarising character at Anfield, and despite being a fan favourite among many, his numbers just did not stack up, even while playing in a successful side. It is no surprise then that Liverpool manager Arne Slot has decided an upgrade was needed on Nunez, but the big striker promises to be a hit in the Pro League and should rival Ronaldo for that top scorer crown.
Theo Hernandez - €25m – Milan to Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal have been busy this window and another high-profile player who has arrived at the club from Europe is French full back Theo Hernandez. The former Milan player has 38 caps for his country and was part of the squad that finished as runners-up at the World Cup in 2022. In his club career Hernandez has featured for both Madrid clubs and his honours at that level include a Champions League success with Real and the Scudetto with Milan. At just 27, there is no doubt that Hernandez has plenty still left to offer, and grabbing a player of his calibre is a real coup for the league.
Joao Felix – €30m – Chelsea to Al-Nassr
Enigmatic Portuguese forward Joao Felix arrives to accompany his international teammate Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, no doubt after buy-in from his colleague. Felix’s career to date has been a case of disappointment after unbelievable hype and one of the highest transfer fees in history when he joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica. But disappointing performances in Spain led to a number of loan deals before Chelsea signed the player permanently, before shifting him on pretty quickly. Playing alongside CR7 should inspire Felix to something like his level, but a move to Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career – Felix is still only 25 – smacks of a terminal decline for a player who once seemed to have the world at his feet.
Alexandre Lacazette – free transfer - Lyon to NEOM
In keeping with the Pro League attracting aging stars of the game, Alexandre Lacazette arrives from France after two hugely successful spells with Lyon. In between Lacazette was a significant signing for Arsenal, and was part of a Gunners side which claimed the FA Cup in 2020. The now 34 year old has scored goals throughout his career, including three in sixteen appearances for France. Perhaps now it’s time to wind down a hugely fulfilling career for the forward, but not before scoring a hatful of goals for his new club NEOM, we suspect.
Mateo Retegui - €68.25 – Atalanta to Al-Qadsiah
One of the most surprising transfers of the summer for the Pro League was the arrival of former Atalanta forward Mateo Retegui. The striker enjoyed the most successful campaign of his career in the 2024/25 season, finishing as the Serie A top scorer with 25 goals, which was a long way ahead of the competition. Still only 26 and with 20 Italian caps to his name, it was a shock to many to see Retegui depart for Saudi in what is a World Cup year, but the striker must have had reassurances that goals for his new club Al-Qadsiah will help his selection for the Azzurri next summer. The largest initial outlay of the summer by any club in the Pro League was on Retegui, and nothing less than a serious assault on Ronaldo’s Golden Boot claims will be expected.
Enzo Millot - €28m – Vfb Stuttgart to Al-Ahli
A couple of promising youngsters have arrived in the Pro league this summer, with one such player being Enzo Millot from the Bundesliga. The former France U21 player is still only 23, and featured more than 100 times for his former club Stuttgart after arriving from Monaco. The combative yet stylish midfielder surely has a successful career in front of him, so it will be interesting to watch his development at Al-Ahli alongside the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney.