Portuguese star ahead Cristiano Ronaldo is gearing up for an additional Saudi Pro League season, decided to assist Al-Nassr break the Riyadh dominance of rival Al-Hilal.
Since becoming a member of Al-Nassr in December 2022, Ronaldo has but to safe a home trophy. This week, he posted on social media: “New season, same goal.”
Last season, Al-Hilal clinched the title with 31 wins and three attracts, ending 14 factors forward of second-placed Al-Nassr. Al-Hilal defeated Ronaldo’s workforce 4-1 within the closing of the Saudi Super Cup final 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 final 12 months, informed 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 time, a string of big-name stars arrived from Europe’s prime leagues to affix Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. According to Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, a complete of $957 million was spent. This summer time has been comparatively quiet, though the switch window stays open till Sept. 2.
For Al-Hilal, the return of Neymar will likely be like a brand new signing. The Brazilian famous person made solely 5 appearances for the Riyadh membership earlier than sustaining a critical left knee harm whereas taking part in in a World Cup qualifier in October.
“Neymar’s return is highly anticipated by our players,” Koulibaly mentioned. “We know that there’s nonetheless slightly little bit of ready as a consequence of his harm, however individuals will see an ideal Neymar. He nonetheless has this motivation after we see him in coaching.”
Neymar returned to coaching final month and, based on native media, may begin taking part in once more in September.
In Neymar’s absence, Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored 28 league objectives final season, second solely to Ronaldo’s file 35. Al-Hilal additionally has Portuguese worldwide Ruben Neves and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou in purpose.
Al-Nassr’s main new signing to date has been Brazilian goalkeeper Bento, who replaces Colombian worldwide David Ospina. In addition to Ronaldo, the Yellows have Senegalese star Sadio Mane, Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, and defender Aymeric Laporte, who helped Spain win the European championship in July.
Other challenges are anticipated to come back from Jeddah golf equipment Al-Ahli, led by Riyad Mahrez, and Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad, which has made the largest signing this summer time to date, paying over $60 million to Aston Villa for French winger Moussa Diaby.
All 4 golf equipment, which had been taken over in 2023 by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, are by far the nation’s best-supported groups.
League officers will seemingly be hoping a extra aggressive title race will assist enhance the typical attendance, which was simply over 8,000 per recreation final season.
Al-Hilal has worldwide in addition to home ambitions. The membership will signify Asia within the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off June 15 within the United States. Al-Hilal reached the ultimate of the 2022 event earlier than shedding to Real Madrid.
“What will be expected going into that competition is that it’s going to be Neymar’s team,” the 33-year-old Koulibaly mentioned. “So we’re going to do every part in coaching in order that he’s on the market and in his finest situation to assist us win trophies.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com