The Ascendancy of the Saudi League

In recent years, the Saudi Professional League has emerged as a burgeoning force in global football, attracting international attention with its quality of play and the influx of top-tier talent. The 2023/24 season witnessed a significant rise in the league’s profile, highlighted by the remarkable evolution of Jorge Jesus with Al-Hilal and the impactful presence of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.

Al-Hilal, one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, experienced a transformative journey under the guidance of Jorge Jesus. The Portuguese tactician, renowned for his tactical acumen and man-management skills, took the reins of Al-Hilal again in the 2023/24 season after this first spill in 2018/2019, with a vision to instill a winning mentality and elevate the club’s stature on the domestic and continental stage.

Throughout the season, Jorge Jesus meticulously molded Al-Hilal into a formidable unit, emphasizing fluid attacking football combined with defensive solidity. They scored 136 goals in 44 games this season and received 31 in all competitions.

Under his leadership, Al-Hilal showcased a mesmerizing brand of football, characterized by swift transitions, intricate passing sequences, and clinical finishing.

With him, Al-Hilal won the Super Cup after defeating Al-Ittihad in the final, reached the AFC Champions League semi-final eliminated by Al-Ain 4-5 on aggregate, reached the final of the Arab Club Champions Cup but lost to Al-Nassr 1-2, two goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo, also Al-Hilal is going to face Al-Nassr again in the Champions Cup and going to win the Saudi league this season surely with 86 points from 30 matches, 12 points clear on the top of the table with only four matches remained without any loss.

Jorge Jesus’s evolution with Al-Hilal was marked by his adeptness in adapting to various tactical setups based on the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses. Whether deploying a possession-based approach or opting for a counter-attacking style, he exhibited tactical flexibility.

Furthermore, Jorge Jesus’s man-management skills played a pivotal role in fostering team cohesion and extracting the best performances from individual players. His ability to inspire confidence and instill belief instigated a winning culture within the squad and dealing with & controlling a lot of stars in the team made him the right man in the right space.

On the other hand, the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr sent shockwaves across the footballing world. The Portuguese superstar, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, brought his unparalleled talent and winning mentality to the Saudi League, adding a new dimension to Al-Nassr’s aspirations.

Ronaldo’s impact on Al-Nassr was immediate and profound. His mere presence injected a sense of belief and ambition within the squad, motivating players to raise their performance levels and strive for excellence. Beyond his on-field exploits, Ronaldo served as a mentor and role model for his teammates, imparting invaluable wisdom garnered from years of elite-level experience.

In the 2023/24 season, Ronaldo’s contributions were instrumental in Al-Nassr’s pursuit of silverware. His remarkable goal-scoring prowess, coupled with his ability to influence games with moments of brilliance, propelled Al-Nassr to contention in both domestic and continental competitions. Ronaldo scored 41 goals and made 12 assists this season in 40 games this season. He is the domestic top goal scorer in the league with 32 goals in 27 matches. He led the team to win the Arab Club Champions Cup against Al-Hilal 1-2 by scoring two goals. Al-Nassr reached the Champions Cup final against Al-Hilal and going to finish second in the league behind Al-Hilal also.

Moreover, Ronaldo’s influence extended beyond the pitch, as his global appeal attracted widespread attention to the Saudi League, enhancing its reputation on the international stage.

The 2023/24 season marked a significant milestone in the rise of the Saudi Professional League, characterized by the remarkable evolution of Jorge Jesus with Al-Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo’s impactful presence at Al-Nassr. Their contributions not only elevated the standard of football in Saudi Arabia but also showcased the league’s potential to compete with the best in the world.