Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo is lining up for another Saudi Pro League season with the main aim of helping Al-Nassr end the dominance of Riyadh rival Al-Hilal. Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr in December 2022 and has yet to win a domestic trophy with the club. In a social media post this week, he wrote: New season, same goal.
Al-Hilal won the title last season with 31 wins and three draws, finishing 14 points clear of second-place Al-Nassr. Hilal beat Ronaldo’s team 4-1 in the final of the Saudi Super Cup last weekend. The 18-team league kicks off its season on Thursday.
"I’m feeling a lot of apprehension because this season is going to be very difficult,” Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who signed from Chelsea last year, told The Associated Press. "Last year, it was a tough championship, but we managed to come out on top. This year, all the teams will be gunning to beat Al Hilal.
" Last summer, a string of big-name stars arrived from Europe’s top leagues to join Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. According to Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, a total of $957 million was spent. This summer has been comparatively quiet, although the transfer window remains open until Sept.
2. For Al-Hilal, the return of Neymar will be like a new signing. The Brazilian superstar made only five appearances for the Riyadh club before sustaining a serious left knee injury while playing in a World Cup qualifier in October.
"Neymar’s return is highly anticipated by our players,” Koulibaly said. "We.