Top 10 greatest players to play in Saudi Pro League

There are some European Cup winners on the list

The Saudi Professional League is the top professional football league in Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1976 and has been a major force in the development of football in the country. The SPL is composed of 16 teams that compete in a round-robin tournament format. The league is highly competitive and features some of the top players in the region. The champion of the Saudi Pro League is crowned at the end of each season and is rewarded with a place in the AFC Champions League.

10. Vincent Aboubakar – Al-Nassr FC

Cameroon International has played for teams such as Coton Sport, Valenciennes, Lorient, and Porto. He has been capped 33 times by Cameroon and scored 16 goals. Vincent Aboubakar was born in 1992 in the Central African country of Cameroon.

After starting his career with local side Coton Sport, he joined French outfit Valenciennes in 2009. He moved to Lorient the following year before joining Portuguese giants Porto two years later. In total, Aboubakar has made 83 appearances for Porto, scoring 36 goals and winning three domestic titles along the way (2013–14; 2014–15; 2020–21).

On June 8, 2021, Aboubakar signed with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on a three-year deal. His salary was set at €6 million per year, and he scored 12 goals in 34 matches played. Aboubakar reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract at the Riyadh-based club in January 2023, being compensated for what remained of it. His exit was required to free up a foreign quota place for Cristiano Ronaldo.

9. Álavaro Medran – Al-Taawoun

Medrán is a Spanish midfielder who currently plays for Al Taawoun. The 29-year-old joined Don Bosco at the age of 14 and progressed through their youth system. Medrán signed for Córdoba in 2008 and made over 100 appearances for the club. He joined Séneca in 2011 and helped them reach the Copa del Rey final. The Spaniard joined the Saudi Pro League club Al Taawoun in 2017 and has since made over 100 appearances.

Medrán is a versatile midfielder who is capable of playing on either side of the pitch. Medrán is considered one of the best midfielders in his country. Medrán is set to play a key role for Al Taawoun in the 2019–20 season. A product of Real Madrid’s youth system, Medrán made his senior team debut in 2012. A regular for both Madrid C and B, Medrán has since established himself as a first-team regular.

8. Ahmed Hegazi – Al-Ittihad

Ahmed Hegazi is a centre-back who currently plays for Al-Ittihad. He began his career with Ismaily before joining Fiorentina in 2012. The 32-year-old spent the 2015-16 season on loan at Perugia. Ahmed Hegazi has played 28 times for Egypt and has scored one goal. Hegazi was part of the Pharaohs' squad that participated in the 2018 World Cup.

Ahmed Hegazi is a tough defender known for his strong aerial ability. He is also an accurate passer and a good set-piece taker. Hegazi is a regular for Egypt and has been a part of their U-20, U-23, and senior squads.

Hegazi is a popular player with Al-Ittihad fans and is seen as a key player and captain of the title-winning team this season. The 32-year-old is contracted to Al-Ittihad until 2021. Ahmed Hegazi is a strong defender known for his aerial ability and accurate passing. The former West Brom defender is also a good set-piece taker and a versatile defender who can play as a centre-back or as a defensive midfielder.

7. Ever Banega – Al-Shabab

Ever Banega is a talented Argentine midfielder who has played for Valencia since 2008. He has been an integral member of the Argentina national team since 2010 and has made appearances at the World Cup and Copa America. During his three years in the league, he played in 58 games, scored in 13 games, and assisted in another four.

The Argentine is known for his attacking play and is a key player for Al Shabab in the Qatar Stars League. He is expected to leave Valencia this summer and join another European club. Banega is a hard-working midfielder who is always looking to create chances for his team.

The 34-year-old is a versatile player who can play in any midfield position. Banega is one of the most respected players in the Valencia squad and is highly regarded by his teammates. The playmaker is a vocal player and is always looking to give 100% to his team. Banega is a popular player among the fans and is highly regarded for his skills on the pitch.

6. David Ospina – Al-Nassr

Colombian international goalkeeper who currently plays for Al Nassr David Ospina was born in 1988 and started playing football at the age of six with Atlético Nacional. After spells with Nice and Arsenal, he joined the Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in 2019. David Ospina has represented his country at various youth levels, including the under-20 World Cup and the Olympics, before making his senior debut in 2008.

He is known for being one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, but he also possesses great reflexes, which have seen him take over as number one for Colombia during their World Cup qualification campaign this year. He has been capped 127 times, making him the third-most-capped player in his country's history. Ospina started his career at Deportivo Cali before moving to Atlético Nacional in 2007. In June 2022, it was announced that Ospina had signed a three-year contract with Al Nassr.

5. Odion Ighalo – Al-Hilal

The Nigerian international currently plays for Al-Hilal. Ighalo started his career at Prime in Nigeria before moving to Italy to play for Juventus and Udinese. Ighalo has been a regular for Nigeria at international level and has scored 53 goals in 97 appearances.

He joined Al-Shabad in Saudi Pro League in January 2020 and then moved to Al-Hilal, where he won the title with them. He is known for his explosive speed, powerful shooting, and good heading ability. He has scored 52 goals in 70 matches and is making his mark in the league.

This footballer has played for English club Watford and the Nigeria national team. Odion Ighalo began his career at Granada before moving to English club Watford in 2014. He has since made over 150 appearances for the Hornets, scoring over 50 goals. Ighalo has represented Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations as well as the World Cup.

Odion Ighalo is considered one of the most promising young strikers in world football and is widely regarded as one of the best African players of his generation. The 33-year-old also spent a loan spell at Manchester United.

4. Talisca – Al-Nassr

Anderson Talisca is a Brazilian attacking midfielder who joined Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in the 2021-22 season. Talisca has represented Vasco da Gama and Beşiktaş in his career. Talisca is 1.90 metres tall and has scored 36 goals in 44 appearances for Al Nassr.

The 29-year-old is a fast, exciting forward who can cause problems for defenders with his quick feet and sharp passing. He is a key player for both his club and country, and he is expected to continue making an impact on the field shortly.

Talisca was a key player for Bahia during their time in Brazil's Serie A, and he helped lead the club to their first championship in 2013. The Brazilian joined Beşiktaş in 2016 on loan, and he helped lead the club to their first Turkish Super Lig title in 2018. Talisca has been capped for Brazil at the U20, U23, and senior levels.

3. Romarinho – Al-Ittihad

Romarinho is a Brazilian striker who currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. Romarinho represented Brazil at the under-17, under-20, and under-23 levels before making his senior debut in 2015. He has scored 71 goals in 144 appearances for Al-Ittihad. Romarinho is a hard-working and tenacious forward who is known for his clinical finishing. The 43-year-old is a popular figure with Al-Ittihad fans and is highly regarded by his teammates. Romarinho has featured for Al-Ittihad since the 2018–19 season.

In 2017, he moved to UAE Gulf League outfit Jazira on a free transfer after the expiration of his previous contract. He played in the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup, where he was the top goal scorer alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Mauricio Antônio.

2. Omar Al-Somah – Al-Ahli SFC

During the 2018–19 season, Al Somah scored 19 goals in 24 matches for Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli. On March 1, 2019, he scored an overhead kick against Al-Ittihad. Al Somah scored a goal on November 29, 2020, in a 2–1 win over Al-Faisaly, which he managed in seven seasons to equal Nasser Al-Shamrani's record of 126 goals in eleven seasons in the Saudi League. On December 22, he broke the record by scoring his 127th goal in a 1-0 win over Al Fateh.

In July 2014, Al Somah joined Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. The 34-year-old became the league’s top goalscorer in 2015, 2016, and 2017. He helped Al Ahli win the league in 2016, their first in 32 years. This Syrian professional footballer has ariel ability and heading technique that has given him an edge in winning aerial challenges for balls, with many of his goals often being headers.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr following his acrimonious departure from Manchester United. Ronaldo’s contract will run for two-and-a-half years until June 2025, with a total salary of €200 million (£177 million) per year once commercial agreements are included. It is thought to be the highest salary ever paid to a professional footballer.

On February 9, Cristiano Ronaldo scored all four goals in a 4–0 win over Al Wehda, his first goal of the match being his 500th career league goal. On February 25, he scored his second hat-trick for the club, helping his side to a 3-0 away league victory against Damac.

The 38-year-old was awarded the Player of the Month award for February after scoring eight goals and assisting twice. He scored 14 goals in 16 matches after joining the team mid-season, with his team finishing second behind Al-Ittihad in a close contest between the two teams.