New ROSHN Saudi League season promises scintillating action

The Saudi Pro League, newly named the ROSHN Saudi League, kicks off with excitement levels the highest it’s been for years.

New sponsorship, plenty of new signings during the summer, intrigue over who will challenge for the title and players — Saudi and foreign — eyeing the World Cup in November.

The executive director of the Saudi Pro League, Abdulaziz Al-Hamidi, stressed the organization’s commitment to progressively raising the market value of the league, which would positively impact its technical and media aspects, putting it on the path toward reaching the highest positions on the global leagues’ index.

“The latest measures open the way for a significant technical enhancement of the league’s level of competition,” he said, referring to the latest sponsorships they have received.

“Today, the league has gained great momentum, which goes in line with the strong competition we have seen in the league that has witnessed a clear technical improvement over the course of the past few years,” he added.

Al-Hilal Coach: Ramon Diaz Star Player: Salem Al-Dawsari

The champions stormed to the title last season, winning 12 of the last 13 games following the appointment of Ramon Diaz. A transfer ban has stopped any recruitment this summer but there is still loads of talent with half of the Saudi Arabia national team and foreign stars such as Odion Ighalo, Matheus Pereira, Jang Hyun-soo, Moussa Marega and others. They will always take some stopping.

Al-Ittihad Coach: Nuno Espirito Santo Star Player: Ahmed Hegazy

Threw away the title last year and need to put that disappointment behind them. New coach Nuno Santo is a high-profile appointment and should add some steel to the lineup. The four-month ban to prolific star