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August 5, 2024
Following a thrilling 2023-24 season that firmly established the Roshn Saudi League on the global stage, the 2024-25 campaign is set to deliver even more drama and excitement. This season, the other 17 teams will be determined to thwart Al Hilal’s bid for back-to-back titles.
But who will manage to achieve this? Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr came closest to challenging the champions last season and will undoubtedly aim to surpass them this year. However, that’s one of the many intriguing storylines to follow in the 2024-25 season, which kicks off on August 22.
The Asian Football Confederation rates the Roshn Saudi League as the top league in Asia. Here’s why it’s worth tuning in each week to catch all the action and drama.
Al Hilal achieved an extraordinary “Invincibles” season last time, remaining undefeated throughout all 34 games and leading the league from beginning to end. As noted, Ronaldo’s Al Nassr kept up with the champions early in the season but fell behind in the latter half. They will be aiming to improve upon that performance this time around.
Will Al Hilal continue to dominate without challenge? How long can their undefeated streak last? Many driven teams are eager to end the Riyadh club’s unbeaten run, which dates back to Al Adalah’s 2-0 victory in May 2023. These teams also want to claim the champions’ title by the end of the May season.
The ageless 39-year-old set a new single-season scoring record last term with an impressive 35 goals, bringing his total to 49 in 47 RSL appearances since joining Al Nassr in January 2023. With Ronaldo showing no signs of slowing down, what new achievements can the Portuguese superstar reach in the 2024-25 season?
Will his performance be enough to propel Al Nassr into contention for trophies this season? Ronaldo has expressed his desire to secure team honors and personal accolades. As the Al Nassr captain, he seems well-positioned to lead the charge again.
One of the most thrilling aspects of any season is witnessing the rise of emerging young stars eager to make their mark on the biggest stage. Last season was no different, with Al Ittihad’s 16-year-old Talal Haji making headlines as both the youngest player and the youngest goalscorer in RSL history.
Indeed, Al Ittihad has become a hotspot for young talent. Still, promising players are making their mark on every team throughout the league. With this in mind, which emerging star will stand out in the 2024-25 season?
Following a lackluster title defense last season that saw them finish fifth, Al Ittihad and Karim Benzema are determined to correct that outcome in the upcoming campaign.
With FIFA World Cup winner Laurent Blanc now at the helm, the 2022-23 champions have been active in the summer transfer market. They’ve brought in players like Moussa Diaby, Houssem Aouar, and Saleh Al Shehri while securing permanent deals with promising young talents Saad Al Mousa and Ahmed Al Ghamdi. Can a revitalized Benzema lead Al Ittihad back into the title race?
After clinching the First Division League title last season, Al Qadsiah is set to make its mark in the RSL. The Khobar side embraces a fresh identity with a new logo and branding. It will feature a revamped lineup for the 2024-25 season. Notably, they have signed several high-profile international stars, including former Arsenal and Barcelona player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Real Madrid captain Nacho.
Al Orobah and Al Kholood are newcomers to the league, each bringing fascinating storylines. However, Al Qadsiah is currently capturing attention with its clear intent. What can Michel’s squad accomplish this year with the impressive talent they’ve assembled?
Last season saw a significant rise in attendance throughout the league, with nearly 2.5 million fans showing up over the 34 match weeks. This surge in support created unforgettable moments, not just for the derbies in Riyadh and Jeddah but across the entire Kingdom.
As anticipation ramps up for the 2024-25 season, and with three new clubs bringing their unique flair, the fans’ energy is set to be extraordinary. Public Service Announcement: Brace yourself for some genuinely spectacular tifo displays.
It’s not only top players drawn to the RSL; the same goes for distinguished coaches. Blanc, a FIFA World Cup-winning player with France, joins Al Ittihad as their new manager. His return to work with Benzema will bring exciting prospects for the Jeddah giants.
At the same time, Sabri Lamouchi, previously the manager of Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest and a former teammate of Blanc, has been named the new manager of Al Riyadh. Additionally, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, a former full-back of Boca Juniors and an ex-UAE manager, will aim to continue the success at Al Taawoun.
The league already features notable figures such as Jorge Jesus, Luis Castro, Matthias Jaissle, and Slaven Bilic. With their diverse styles and philosophies, the tactical battles on the sidelines this season promise to be captivating.
The competition for the top scorer in the 2024-25 season is set to be as intense as ever, if not more so. Last season, Ronaldo claimed the Golden Boot with an impressive 35 goals. Still, he will face fierce competition from a group of contenders this year. Among those challenging him are former record-holder Abderrazak Hamdallah, now at Al Shabab, along with Benzema, Aubameyang, and Aleksandar Mitrovic, to name just a few.
Feras Al Buraikan, Roberto Firmino, and Fashion Sakala are in the mix. The question remains: who will emerge as the top scorer? And will the leading goalscorer of the 2024-25 season also be able to drive his team to victory?
The focus often falls on the so-called “Big Four” of Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli. Still, Al Taawoun demonstrated last year that breaking into their dominance of the top positions is possible. So, which team from the chasing pack might achieve the same this season?
Could it be Al Taawoun once more? Might a revitalized Al Qadsiah reach for the stars? Or will former champions Al Shabab, Al Ettifaq, or Al Fateh make a move? Remember, the RSL is known for its surprises, so expect this season to deliver its own set of unexpected twists.
Few events ignite passion like a cross-city derby, and the RSL is home to some of the most thrilling matchups. The Riyadh Derby between Al Hilal and Al Nassr stirs an intensity rarely matched. With Al Hilal having claimed the bragging rights last season, how will their city rivals respond this time?
In Jeddah, the sight of King Abdullah Sports City Stadium adorned in Al Ittihad’s black and yellow or Al Ahli’s green and white is truly unforgettable. Both fan bases produce an atmosphere and spectacle that must be seen and believed.
This season, the Eastern Derby between Al Ettifaq and Al Qadsiah returns to the RSL, and with both teams vying for top positions, local bragging rights are more crucial than ever.
Conveniently, the RSL has scheduled all three derby matches for its inaugural “Magic Round,” where these key fixtures will occur in the same round during Matchweek 9. It’s an exciting prospect, so mark your calendar for this thrilling event.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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