Porto head coach Francesco Farioli has delivered a definitive blow to Chelsea’s search for a new manager by ruling himself out of the running for the Stamford Bridge vacancy. The Italian tactician is currently on the verge of securing the league title in Portugal and has no intention of abandoning his project at the Estadio do Dragao.
Real Madrid legend Guti Hernandez has told Florentino Perez to steer clear of Jose Mourinho as the hunt for Alvaro Arbeloa’s potential successor begins. Despite 'The Special One' reportedly being keen on a return to the Bernabeu, Guti is not convinced by the Benfica tactician's recent record.
Former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has decided on his next career step following his departure from Old Trafford in January. Rather than immediately seeking a new role, the Portuguese tactician intends to take a sabbatical for the 2026-27 season. He aims to prioritise his professional development abroad, definitively ruling out a return to manage in his homeland.
Jose Mourinho is reportedly eyeing a spectacular return to Real Madrid. The Portuguese tactician believes he has unfinished business in Spain, and with a unique release clause in his Benfica contract expiring soon, Los Blancos have a narrow window to secure his services as they evaluate their managerial options.
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has been hit with a six-match suspension by UEFA following a discriminatory exchange with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior. The 20-year-old was found guilty of using homophobic language during a Champions League clash in Lisbon.
Chelsea’s hierarchy is reportedly resistant to the idea of appointing Jose Mourinho for a third managerial spell despite growing fan pressure following Liam Rosenior’s exit. While the legendary Portuguese coach is currently excelling at Benfica, club insiders suggest that a fairytale return to west London is unlikely as the board prioritises other candidates.
Al-Hilal are the most successful Saudi Pro League side ever, having won an astonishing 19 league titles. Their first-ever league title came at the end of the 1976-77 campaign. Currently, they are also the defending champions, having gone all the way in the 2023-24 season.
How many teams are in the Saudi Pro League?
Currently, there are 18 teams in the Saudi Pro League. In the first season ever, which took place in 1976-77, there were just eight teams. The number increased to 10 in the following season. Ahead of the 1981-82, Saudi Premier League and Saudi First Division merged to form one single league for the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification process. However, from the 1984-85 season, the number teams reverted to 12.
Who has made the most Saudi Pro League appearances ever?
Legendary Saudi Arabian goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea holds the record for most appearances in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Deayea played for Al-Taee and Al-Hilal and managed 406 appearances inthe league.
Who is the all-time top scorer of the Saudi Pro League?
Majed Abdullah, also known as the Arabian Pele, is the league's all-time leading topscorer with 189 goals in 194 league games, all of them coming with Al-Nassr in a 21-year span. He is Al-Nassr's record goalscorer, with 259 goals in just 266 games.
Who has the most assists in the history of the Saudi Pro League?
Former Syrian midfielder Jehad Al-Hussain has registered the most assists in Saudi Pro League history, setting up 50 goals for his teammates in 208 games.
Who is the oldest player ever in the Saudi Pro League and how old was he?
Former Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary is the oldest player to ever feature in Saudi Pro League. El Hadary was 45 years and 81 days old when he featured for Al-Taawoun in April 2018.
Who is the youngest player ever in the Saudi Pro League and how old was he?
Teenage sensation Talal Haji, who plays for Al-Ittihad, is the youngest player to ever play in Saudi Pro League. Haji achieved this feat at the age of 16 years and five days when he came on as a substitute for Romarinho in Al-Ittihad's 2-1 win over Al-Fateh in September 2023.
Which famous players have played in the Saudi Pro League?
Cristiano Ronaldo, Riyad Mahrez, Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino, N'Golo Kante, Sadio Mane, Yassine Bounou, Nacho, Aymeric Laporte, and Fabinho are among the most famous players to have played in the Saudi Pro League.
Which famous managers have managed in the Saudi Pro League?
Steven Gerrard, Laurent Blanc, and Stefano Pioli are some of Saudi Pro League's most prominent managers in history.
What is the biggest stadium in the Saudi Pro League?
The King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, which is home to Al-Shabab and Al-Riyadh, is the biggest stadium in Saudi Pro League. It has a capacity of 68,752.
Who is the most expensive player in the history of the Saudi Pro League?
Neymar is the most expensive player in Saudi Pro League history, costing a whopping £77.6 million when Al-Hilal bought him from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.