In recent years, the Saudi Pro League has become a hub for outstanding football talent. Today, we bring the top players in the Saudi Pro League, who are making it big. With its increasing popularity and financial support, the league has managed to attract top-notch players from both within and outside the country. This article highlights the ten best players in the Saudi Pro League, highlighting their abilities, accomplishments, and impact on the sport in Saudi Arabia.
Here are the 10 top players in the Saudi Pro League
10. Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal)
Salem is a skilled player who excels in close ball control and has the ability to effortlessly bypass opponents. He is a prominent member of the Al Hilal team and can be deployed on the wings or as a secondary striker. Football enthusiasts may recall Salem Al-Dawsari’s impressive performance when the Saudi Men’s national team competed against Argentina in the group stages. Alongside Odion Ighalo, he is considered one of the most impactful players at Al Hilal. Over the past three years, he has played a crucial role in the club’s consecutive league title victories.
9. Igor Coronado (Al-Ittihad)
Igor Coronado is renowned for his exceptional creativity as a midfielder in the league. His talent for delivering precise passes that break through defenses is comparable to the very best. The Brazilian player concluded the season with the second highest number of assists in the league. In 2021, he became a member of Al Ittihad Club and played a crucial role in their victory at the Saudi Super Cup in 2022. This season, Igor has been engaged in an impressive campaign for the league title which proved fruitful at the end of the season despite facing strong opposition from Al Nassr and Al Hilal.
8. Éver Banega (Al Shabab Riyadh)
Many people were surprised when he chose to leave European football, but Éver Banega has proven himself in the top division of Saudi Arabian football with exceptional performances for Al Shabab Riyadh. The talented Argentine midfielder, who played a crucial part in Sevilla’s success in the Europa League, is now considered one of the top midfielders in the league. Banega excels at maneuvering past opponents to reach the edge of the penalty area and linking up with his teammates in attack. He is also capable of dropping back to facilitate the team’s transition and help move the ball into the final third.
7. Carlos Alberto (Al Shabab Riyadh)
Carlos Alberto is a highly productive attacker in the league. He is known for his ability to score goals and has consistently performed well for Al Shabab Riyadh. Since joining the club in 2021, he has been one of the leading scorers in the league, with a double-digit goal tally. In the Saudi King’s Cup 2021-22 season, he emerged as the top scorer. In the just ended season, he contributed 12 goals to his team’s performance, which helped them secure a fourth-place finish.
6. Mourad Batna (Al-Fateh)
Mourad Batna is a versatile forward who excels at both scoring goals and creating opportunities for his teammates. His standout performance at the 2022 World Cup with Morocco will be remembered. However, it may come as a surprise to many fans that he is also considered one of the top wingers in the Saudi League. In the recently concluded season, Batna made a significant impact for his club, Al-Fateh, with seventeen goal contributions. Since joining the team in 2020, he has been a key player for them.
5. Alejandro “Kaku” Romero Gamarra (Al-Taawoun)
Alejandro Romero, also known as ‘Kaku,’ is renowned for his exceptional creativity on the field in the Saudi League. As a Paraguayan midfielder, he topped the league’s assist charts last season with fifteen assists coupled with six goals for the season. Since joining the club in 2021, Kaku has made a remarkable impact and is gradually transforming the Saudi Pro League into a dominant force with his outstanding performances.
4. Odion Ighalo (Al-Hilal)
Odion Ighalo is a highly successful striker in the Saudi Pro League. The Nigerian player signed with Al Hilal in 2022 and quickly made a significant impact, earning the title of Top Scorer in his debut season with the club. Last season, Ighalo has carried on his impressive performance, scoring a total of 19 goals.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr during the middle of the season with the goal of helping the club become a dominant force in their domestic league. Initially, the Portuguese striker had a slow start but eventually found his rhythm, scoring fourteen goals in sixteen matches. Alongside teammate Anderson Talisca, Ronaldo spearheaded the team’s quest for the league title but fell shot in the end. He ranked high fifth in the goal-scoring charts at the end of the season in the Saudi League and has proven to be a dependable striker for the club.
2. Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Ittihad)
Abderrazak Hamdallah had a remarkable season, scoring twenty-one goals for Al-Ittihad and helping them win the league championship. His performance for the Moroccan Men’s National team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was also highly praised by football fans. However, his outstanding form has not been limited to international competitions. Hamdallah has been consistently performing well for his club, Al-Ittihad, and has played a crucial role in their success in both domestic and continental competitions. He has been honored with the Saudi League top award twice and has maintained his exceptional form.
1. Anderson Talisca (Al-Nassr)
Anderson Talisca previously had stints in Europe before signing with Al Nassr in 2021. In his first season in the Saudi Pro League, the Brazilian scored 20 goals and became the top choice for the offensive position at the club. Talisca has proven to be a dependable striker for Al Nassr in the Saudi top division, consistently scoring goals and finishing last season with 20 goals. Despite some discussion about his position when Cristiano Ronaldo joined the team in the middle of the season, Talisca continues to be an important player for the club.
