Saudi Pro League top scorers 2023-24: Cristiano Ronaldo beats Mitrovic in the race for the Golden Boot

The icon. The legend. The GOAT? Wherever the former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker ranks in the history of sporting greats, his influence on the Saudi Pro League cannot be understated.

After all, it was his transfer to Al-Nassr back in December 2022 that paved the way for other big names across the football world to follow suit. Ronaldo was a match-winner for Al-Nassr, and perhaps the club's most clutch performer even in the twilight of his career.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had a productive half-season in Riyadh in the 2022-23 season, bagging 14 goals. The Al Nassr forward blew that tally out of the water, hitting 35 goals in just 31 games to finish seven ahead of Al Hilal's Aleksandar Mitrovic. However, despite Ronaldo’s best efforts, Al-Hilal have managed to pip his side to the league title.

The former Fulham striker didn't have the same boasting trophy cabinet and UEFA Champions League-winning credentials as some of the players that have moved across to the Middle East this past summer. But he bullied defenders with his towering frame, and scored goals for fun in his debut season in the Saudi Pro League.

Nicknamed "The Executioner" for his goal scoring exploits, Abderrazak Hamdallah won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot after firing 21 goals in the 2022–23 season and showed no signs of slowing down, although niggling injuries meant he narrowly missed out on matching his tally from last time out.

Sakala spent two years with the Rangers before signing for Al-Fayha in the summer. The Zambia international's career in Saudi Arabia got off to a flying start thanks to the winger's spritely burst of pace and a keen eye for goal, having netted 17 times this season.

Anderson Talisca has been very consistent for Al-Nassr since his move from Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande back in 2021, having scored 20 goals in back-to-back seasons. Although Mane and Ronaldo stole the headlines this past season, the Brazilian remained a pivotal force in Luis Castro's side's attack.

Al-Fateh's talismanic young forward, Firas Al Buraikan has quietly emerged as Saudi Arabia's most dangerous striker since his 2021 exit from Al-Nassr. He impressed for both club and country in the 2022–23 campaign, scoring 17 league goals in the process. Needless to say, he carried over that form into the 2023-24 season, smashing 16 goals.

The 28-year-old winger was lured to the Saudi Pro League by Damac in the summer. N’Koudou struggled to make an impact in the Premier League with Spurs, but he hasn’t had any of those struggles in his new surroundings. After enjoying some solid seasons with Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig, N’Koudou looked sharp in front of goal for his new club with 15 league goals to his name.

Ighalo has been playing in Saudi Arabia since February 2021, when he joined Al-Shabab in a sensational move before later making a switch to Al-Hilal. The Nigerian striker, who netted an impressive 52 goals in 71 games in the Saudi Pro League for both Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal, continued his good run with Al Wehda this past season, although he just about missed the 15-goal mark.

Former Barcelona attacker Malcolm lifted the Russian Premier League title last season with Zenit as the top scorer (23) in the league before joining Al-Hilal for a club-record €60 million.

The 26-year-old Brazilian winger made a splendid start to his career in the Saudi Pro League and spearheaded Al Hilal's title-charge with his goal scoring exploits in 2023/24.

A two-time African Footballer of the Year and lifting pretty much every club trophy under the sun while at Liverpool, Sadio Mane never settled in Germany and sought a fresh start by joining Al-Nassr following a less-than-satisfying spell with Bayern Munich. He made a fine start to life with Al-Nassr and formed a lethal strike partnership alongside Ronaldo.

At 31, he may have lost a yard of electric pace that made him a nightmare for defenders in one-on-one positions, but he is still very clinical in front of goal with either foot.

Saudi Arabia international Salem Al Dawsari, who caught global attention with his spectacular winning goal against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, was in sparkling form for Al-Hilal in the 2023-24 season, and made full use of supply chain consisting of elite creators such as Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

While their peers were busy splashing the cash for fun, Al-Tai managed to land a bargain deal last summer as Bernard Mensah joined the club on a free transfer. And the attacking midfielder proved to be a superb addition and has been a regular contributor of goals and assists.

After 14 years with Real Madrid, 2022-23 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema took a a new challenge in the Middle-East and joined the reigning Pro League champions Al-Ittihad with a clear remit - score goals. His niggling injury issues aside, the Frenchman has just done that so far, and is a strong contender for the Saudi Pro League golden boot.

Algerian star Riyad Mahrez ended his glorious trophy-laden spell with Manchester City in the summer by heading to Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli in a £30m deal. And he has settled in the Middle East pretty well. Producing goals and assists for fun, he has been the driving force behind Al Ahli's top-four charge.

Tello is the most experienced player in the Al Fateh squad. He has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Barcelona and Liverpool. He is a quick and skillful attacker who can score goals and create chances for his teammates.

Brazilian forward João Pedro Pereira dos Santos, popularly known as João Pedro, has been a formidable attacking force for Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League. His dynamic style of play and goal-scoring ability are helping his side in an unlikely push for a top-four finish.

Although Jordan Henderson's move to Al-Ettifaq stole the headline, the capture of 27-year-old French striker Moussa Dembele on a free transfer from Lyon was an even bigger coup for Steven Gerrard's side given he has a proven track-record for being prolific goal-scorer in both Ligue 1 and Scottish SPFL. A natural and instinctive poacher, he will now be looking to take his goal-scoring exploits to the Middle-East.