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Saudi Pro League

Saudi Pro League news

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Cancelo drops big transfer hint amid Barcelona loan spell

Portugal international Joao Cancelo has dropped a significant hint regarding his future, hinting he is willing to reduce his salary to secure a return to Benfica. Currently on loan at Barcelona from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, the full-back's comments have added a fresh layer of intrigue to his complex transfer situation.

Al Nassr v Al Okhdood: Saudi Pro League

'Did what I had to do!' - Felix insists he has no regrets over Chelsea exit

Joao Felix has defended his decision to leave Chelsea for Al-Nassr, insisting the move was essential for his happiness and professional growth. The Portugal international made a permanent transfer to Stamford Bridge in 2024, but struggled for consistency in London and was sold to the Saudi Pro League giants last summer. Now playing in his preferred role, the forward believes he has finally rediscovered the form that first made him a global star.

Portugal v Spain - UEFA Nations League 2025 Final

Ronaldo fitness concerns addressed by Martinez

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has moved to ease fears regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness after a hamstring injury sidelined the legendary forward from the March international camp. The 41-year-old remains central to the Selecao’s plans as he prepares for a record sixth World Cup campaign in North America. Martinez emphasised that the captain’s elite mentality and remarkable goalscoring record ensure his place remains secure.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Ryan Reynolds 2026

Wrexham? CR7 doesn’t need Reynolds to achieve Hollywood dream

A stunning move to Wrexham for Cristiano Ronaldo is being ruled out as the Portuguese superstar does not need Ryan Reynolds’ assistance in order to achieve his Hollywood dream. CR7 has stated a desire to get into the movie business, leading to surprising transfer talk being sparked, but James Chester cannot see the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend heading to North Wales.

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Salah warned off MLS move to join Messi in CR7-themed advice

Mohamed Salah has, as he prepares to leave Liverpool as a free agent, been warned off a move to join Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi in MLS. The Egyptian forward has been told that he would be “too far out of the spotlight” in America, with the director of his national team informing the 33-year-old forward that he should instead consider a switch that sees him follow Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League.

Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup trophy Portugal

Ronaldo's return date set amid World Cup concerns

Cristiano Ronaldo has been given the green light to return to Al-Nassr training following a successful rehabilitation programme in Madrid and Riyadh. The Portuguese icon, who has been sidelined with a hamstring issue, is expected to feature in Friday’s Saudi Pro League clash against Al-Najma. His recovery provides a timely boost for both his club’s title charge and Portugal’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

McTominay Napoli

McTominay to Saudi Pro League truth revealed

Scott McTominay is not believed to be in talks over a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League as he wishes to remain with Napoli. The Scotland international has been a revelation since leaving Manchester United in 2024, becoming a cornerstone of Antonio Conte's side as they won the Serie A title last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 2025

Martinez reveals what will 'retire' Ronaldo - and it's not age

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has revealed what will “retire” Cristiano Ronaldo, with the evergreen Al-Nassr forward still going strong at 41 years of age. Remarkable individual standards at club level have been maintained by the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus superstar. He is preparing to grace a sixth World Cup finals this summer and has been showing no sign of slowing down.

Harry Kane

Saudi money could tempt Kane, says Bayern chief

Harry Kane may be enjoying a record-breaking stint in Germany, but Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has admitted that a massive offer from Saudi Arabia could still change the striker's future. Despite the England captain being settled in Bavaria, the lure of Middle Eastern riches remains a factor the club cannot entirely ignore.

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Neuer on same level as Messi and Ronaldo, says ex-Bayern boss

Manuel Neuer has received the ultimate praise as he celebrates his 40th birthday, with former manager Felix Magath ranking the goalkeeper alongside the greatest players to ever grace the pitch. The Bayern Munich captain, whose future remains a subject of intense speculation, has been categorised in the same bracket as multiple Ballon d'Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

GFX Mohamed Salah Cristiano Ronaldo

Salah to Saudi: Will Al-Nassr or Al-Ittihad win the race?

As Mohamed Salah prepares to bid farewell to the Premier League, the Saudi Pro League has emerged as the most likely destination for the 33-year-old. While Al-Nassr remains a financial powerhouse in the region, questions have been raised about how the Egyptian would fit alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese icon has previously called for more investment in the squad, but there are doubts whether he would want another global superstar sharing the spotlight in Riyadh.

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USMNT legend rules out Ronaldo to MLS

Cristiano Ronaldo has long been linked with a glamorous move to Major League Soccer to wrap up his legendary career, but one USMNT icon believes that ship has sailed. As the Portuguese superstar continues his journey in the Saudi Pro League, questions are being asked about whether he has the physical longevity to ever touch down in North America.

Jack Grealish Everton 2025-26

How much will Grealish cost? £50m transfer fee claim

Everton’s loan agreement with Manchester City for Jack Grealish includes a £50 million ($67m) purchase option, but the England international is expected to go for less than that figure in the summer transfer window. Richard Dunne, who spent time on Merseyside at the Etihad in his playing days, has told GOAL why - amid MLS and Wrexham talk - Grealish could become a cut-price option for someone.

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Casemiro to Al-Ittihad deal depends on fate of ex-Liverpool star

Al-Ittihad are pursuing Manchester United’s Casemiro as he nears the end of his tenure at Old Trafford. The 34-year-old, who will leave the club on June 30, has emerged as a top priority for the club Saudi Arabian side. However, the fate of ex-Liverpool star Fabinho will play a key role in this transfer, making the Brazilian’s move dependent on internal squad changes.

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Ferdinand disagrees with Rooney: 'Neymar did things Messi & CR7 couldn't'

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has waded into the debate surrounding Neymar's legacy, directly challenging former team-mate Wayne Rooney’s recent suggestion that the Brazilian was never a "top, top player". Speaking on his podcast, the former England defender insisted that at his peak, Neymar possessed a level of flair and technical ability that rivalled Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. While acknowledging Rooney's own greatness, Ferdinand argued that the Santos star was once the undisputed heir to the global throne.

Cristiano Junior

Ronaldo’s son in line to join Real Madrid after training with academy

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr is reportedly in line to join Real Madrid after training with the club's prestigious youth academy. The 15-year-old forward, who has been developing his game at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, joined the Merengues' Under-16 squad for a session on Tuesday. He could now follow in the illustrious footsteps of his father, who is the all-time leading goalscorer in Real Madrid history.

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Fabinho claims Neymar is still Brazil's 'most talented player'

Fabinho has backed Neymar to make Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad, claiming the Santos star remains his country's "most talented player" despite his ongoing fitness struggles. As Carlo Ancelotti’s current squad prepares for a high-profile friendly against France, the debate surrounding Neymar’s physical condition and international future continues to dominate the narrative.

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NXGN 2026: Top 50 teenage wonderkids in football

The annual NXGN lists are back for 2026, as GOAL ranks the world's top teenage talents in men's and women's football, crowning winners that will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Vicky Lopez in being recognised as the best young footballers on the planet.

Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Steven Gerrard, Laurent Blanc, and Stefano Pioli are some of Saudi Pro League's most prominent managers in history.

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.

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.