Cristiano Ronaldo chases milestone as Al Hilal regroup: Saudi Pro League season preview

The 2026/27 Saudi Pro League season commences on Thursday with Al Ahli Saudi among the first clubs to take the field. Franck Kessie and Riyad Mahrez, who clinched consecutive AFC Champions League titles, have departed the team following contract expirations. For the first time in three years, a new manager will helm Al Ahli - Marino Pusic, who replaces Matthias Jaissle, the architect of their two Asian League victories.

Pusic, who guided Shakhtar Donetsk to the Ukrainian league title in 2024, joins on a two-year deal. Ivan Toney, a prolific English striker, will provide the goals for the team but faces a charge of assault and will appear in a London Magistrates Court on September 24. Toney netted 42 goals last season, contributing to Al Ahli's resurgence in the Asian Champions League and a third-place finish in the Saudi Pro League.

Toney is linked with a return to the Premier League, potentially bringing him back together with Jaissle at Newcastle United. Al Ahli opens their campaign against promoted Diriyah, and could see two new recruits - Francisco Trincao and Eduard Spertsyan - make their debuts. Trincao, a Portuguese winger who cost €39.3 million from Sporting, is tasked with replacing Algerian legend Mahrez.

Spertsyan, an Armenian playmaker, completes the €22 million signing from Krasnodar. Meanwhile, Abha returns to the top tier after a seven-year hiatus and faces Al Hazem with Al Qadsiah. Qadsiah, led by Brendan Rodgers, aims to improve upon their fourth-place finish from last season and boast Mexico forward Julian Quinones, who scored 33 league goals last term and scored thrice at the recent World Cup.

Al Hilal aim to reclaim the Saudi Pro League crown by signing Dutch forward Crysencio Summerville for €64.5 million from West Ham United. Summerville, who contributed only eight goals across two seasons at West Ham, has played for the Netherlands in the recent World Cup, scoring in all group stage matches. Hilal's new coach, Simone Inzaghi, boasts a wealth of talent including Karim Benzema, Darwin Nunez, Malcom, and Salem Al Dawsari.

Inzaghi's previous campaign was criticized for being too defensive, prompting speculation that he might adopt a more attacking approach this season. Al Hilal host Al Faisaly, while Al Riyadh, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, take on Al Ettifaq. Cristiano Ronaldo, the club's all-time leading scorer, ended his trophy drought by guiding Al Nassr to the Pro League title last season, scoring 28 goals despite a mid-season strike.

Ronaldo scored three goals during Portugal's World Cup campaign, bringing his senior career tally to 976 goals - one goal short of his aspiration to reach 1,000.