Cristiano Ronaldo chases milestone as Al Hilal regroup: Saudi Pro League season preview
The 2026/27 Saudi Pro League season begins with significant changes for several teams. Al Ahli, which previously won back-to-back AFC Champions League titles, has seen key players like Franck Kessie and Riyad Mahrez depart, while new manager Marino Pusic takes over. Pusic, who previously led Shakhtar Donetsk to a Ukrainian league title, now aims to guide Al Ahli with star player Ivan Toney, though Toney faces legal issues. Meanwhile, Al Hilal has made a major signing of Dutch forward Crysencio Summerville from West Ham for €64.5 million, signaling their intent to regain the league title after losing to Al Nassr last season. Other clubs, such as Abha, return to the top flight after a seven-year absence, featuring Mexican striker Julian Quinones, who topped the SPL Golden Boot with 33 league goals last season.
Al Ahli Saudi began their 2026/27 Saudi Pro League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Diriyah, marking the start of the post-Matthias Jaissle era. The win was secured by a debut goal from Eduard Spertsyan, the Armenian playmaker who joined the club for approximately €22 million from Russian club Krasnodar. Spertsyan’s strike, which came in the second half, settled the match in favor of Al Ahli, who dominated much of the game despite being caught off guard by a late counterattack. Jaissle, who guided Al Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League titles, departed this summer to take charge of Newcastle United in England. His successor, Marino Pusic, arrived with a wealth of experience, having previously led Shakhtar Donetsk to the 2024 Ukrainian league title. Pusic faces the challenge of rebuilding a squad that lost key players such as Franck Kessie and Riyad Mahrez, both of whom left after long tenures. Mahrez, in particular, was a vital figure for Al Ahli, and his departure marked the end of an era. To replace Mahrez, Al Ahli signed Francisco Trincao, a 26-year-old Portuguese winger acquired from Sporting for a reported €39.3 million. Trincao, known for his flair and dribbling ability, aims to fill the void left by the Algerian forward. Despite his high-profile transfer, Trincao struggled to make an immediate impact, as evidenced by his performance against Diriyah. He kept possession under pressure but failed to create clear chances, though his presence helped maintain Al Ahli’s control in midfield. Spertsyan, meanwhile, made an instant impression with his goal, celebrating wildly with the traveling supporters. The Armenian, who has played exclusively for Krasnodar throughout his career, became the latest high-profile addition to Al Ahli’s roster. His arrival signals a continued investment in foreign talent, reflecting the club’s ambition to compete at the highest level. Elsewhere in the league, Al Qadsiah claimed a 3-1 victory over Al Shabab, with last season’s Golden Boot winner Julian Quinones scoring twice. Quinones, who netted 33 league goals in 2025, continues to be one of the most lethal strikers in the competition. His performance against Shabab showcased his quality, as he converted a cross from Mohamed Al Qahtani to put Qadsiah ahead in the 80th minute. Substitute Turki Al Ammar added the final touch with a late goal, sealing the win for the club managed by Brendan Rodgers. Meanwhile, Al Hazem defeated Abha 2-1, with goals from Abdulaziz Al Duwaihi and Ahmed Al Shamrani. This result highlights the competitive nature of the league, particularly among newly promoted teams. The opening round of fixtures set the stage for a thrilling season, with multiple high-stakes matches scheduled for the coming days. As the season progresses, attention will remain focused on Al Hilal, who have made a major statement by signing Netherlands forward Crysencio Summerville for a fee of €64.5 million. The 26-year-old striker, who previously played for West Ham United, joins a squad that includes stars such as Karim Benzema and Darwin Nunez. Al Hilal aim to reclaim the league title after losing it to Al Nassr last season, and their new signings suggest they are serious about challenging for supremacy once again.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
AE
