Cristiano Ronaldo sets sights on ending Al-Hilal’s Saudi dominance
Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr to turn their dreams into reality, but is yet to see domestic success with the club and has shared a social media post this week: New season, same goal.
With the upcoming Saudi Pro League season, Ronaldo’s main objective will be to lead Al-Nassr and assist them so they can put a break on Al-Hilal’s dominance. Last season saw Al-Hilal lift the Saudi Pro League with 31 wins and three draws, finishing a mile ahead of second-place Al-Nassr with a 14-point lead.
Last weekend, Ronaldo’s team lost 4-1 in the final of the Saudi Super Cup, while the league kicks off on Thursday.
Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly who moved from Chelsea told the Saudi Press “I’m feeling a lot of apprehension because this season is going to be very difficult, and added “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 was filled with prominent European names joining Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, with $957 million spent as per reports, while this summer has been quiet to date.
The return Brazilian superstar Neymar will feel more like a new signing after only appearing five times for the Riyadh club before a serious left knee injury in the World Cup qualifier tampered with his season.
“Neymar’s return is highly anticipated by our players,” said Koulibaly. “We know that there is still a little bit of waiting due to his injury but people will see a great Neymar. He still has this motivation when we see him in training.”
Since last month Neymar has been training last month according to local media with a possibility of returning in September.
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Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic took the throne in the Bxazillian’s absence scoring 28 league goals last season behind Ronaldo’s record 35. Al-Hilal is not short of Portuguese talent as they have Ruben Neves and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou in goal.
There has not been any major new signing for Al-Nassr so far with Brazilian goalkeeper Bento replacing Colombian international David Ospina. Moreover, the Yellows have Senegalese star Sadio Mane, Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, and defender Aymeric Laporte, who helped Spain to the European championship in July in their squad.
Threats could also come from Al-Ahli, led by Riyad Mahrez, and Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad, who have been the biggest signing this summer so far.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund takeover of four clubs in 2023, has become the most supported club in the league.
As Al-Hilal has international as well as domestic ambitions this coming season as they represent Asia in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup next year, Al-Nassr will have to take advantage of the edge.
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