Ollie Watkins arrives, Cristiano Ronaldo responds: Saudi Pro League talking points

Ollie Watkins scored his first goal for Al Hilal during their Saudi Pro League match against Al Ahli, while Cristiano Ronaldo helped Al Nassr maintain their impressive form in the league. Both Riyadh clubs are currently atop the standings with 12 points after four games, separated by goal difference. Al Hilal edged out Al Nassr by a narrow margin, yet both teams have established themselves as title contenders.

The Saudi Arabian transfer window remains open until September 6, which suggests more signings may be on the horizon before Matchday 5. Ollie Watkins, the £50 million signing from Aston Villa, may prove to be the missing piece for Al Hilal, as he entered the game in the 86th minute and added to the team's goal tally. Al Ahli, on the other hand, struggled against their English counterparts, failing to register any shots on target and trailing 2-0 by the 23rd minute.

Despite Demiral's red card, the loss highlights potential fatigue and turnover issues within the squad, which could impact their performance against other top teams in the league. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, is not immune to controversy in his Saudi Pro League tenure, as he sparked debate following his substitution during a match against Al Ettifaq.

The controversy stemmed from Ronaldo's dissatisfaction with being replaced shortly after entering the second half, leading to speculation about tensions between him and coach Ange Postecoglou. However, the situation appears to have been resolved quickly, and Al Nassr went on to secure a 3-2 victory in the match.