10 Reasons to Watch the 2024-25 RSL

After an action-packed 2023-24 season put the Roshn Saudi League well and truly on the international map, the upcoming 2024-25 campaign promises even more drama and excitement as the other 17 teams attempt to prevent Al Hilal from claiming back-to-back titles.

But who will be able to do just that? Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr ran the champions closest last time out and will of course be looking to go one better this season, but in fact that forms only one of the many storylines to watch out for through 2024-25, with the new campaign getting under way on August 22.

Ranked by the Asian Football Confederation as the No.1 league in Asia, here’s what sets the RSL apart and why you should tune in every week to follow the drama.

Taking the fight to Al Hilal

Al Hilal completed a remarkable “Invincibles” season last time out, going all 34 games without a single defeat and dominating the league from start to finish. As mentioned, Ronaldo’s Al Nassr maintained the early pace with the eventual champions but fell away in the second half of the season, so they will be seeking an improvement on that.

So, will Al Hilal have it all their own way? And just how long can that undefeated streak stretch? There should be no shortage of motivated sides intent on inflicting the Riyadh club's first league defeat since Al Adalah’s 2-0 win, back in May 2023. And, with that, taking the champions' crown come next May.

Ronaldo chasing more records - and trophies

The evergreen 39-year-old broke the single-season scoring record last term with a remarkable 35 goals, taking his tally to 49 in 47 RSL outings since joining Al Nassr in January 2023. With age showing no signs of slowing down Ronaldo, what can the Portuguese superstar achieve in 2024-25?

And will that be enough to help Al Nassr challenge for silverware this season? Ronaldo has already spoken of wanting to deliver collective accolades to the club as well as picking up the individual. The Al Nassr captain appears in fine shape to once more lead from the front.

Exciting young talent primed to shine

One of the great stories of any season is the emergence of the next crop of young stars, ready to take the opportunity to shine on the biggest stage. Last term was no exception, with Al Ittihad’s 16-year-old Talal Haji leading the way, becoming not only the youngest player in RSL history, but also its youngest goalscorer.

Indeed, Al Ittihad have emerged as a hot house of young talent, but across the league there are precocious players breaking through in every team. With that in mind, who will emerge as the starlet of the 2024-25 season?

Former champions Al Ittihad look to bounce back

After a disappointing title defence last season, in which they finished fifth, Al Ittihad and Karim Benzema are determined to write that wrong this campaign.

With FIFA World Cup winner Laurent Blanc now in charge, the 2022-23 champions have been aggressive in the summer transfer market, adding the likes of Moussa Diaby, Houssem Aouar and Saleh Al Shehri, while confirming permanent deals with promising young duo Saad Al Mousa and Ahmed Al Ghamdi. Can a rejuvenated Benzema fire Al Ittihad back into title contention?

New boys Al Qadsiah ready to make statement

Having won the First Division League last season, Al Qadsiah are out to reinvent themselves in the RSL. With a new logo and new branding, the Khobar side will also boast a relatively new line-up in 2024-25, with the high-profile arrival of a host of international stars headlined by former Arsenal and Barcelona star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Real Madrid captain Nacho.

Al Orobah and Al Kholood are the other new boys in the league, and provide their own intriguing storylines, but for now it's Al Qadsiah signalling their intent. With such talent at their disposal, what can Michel’s men achieve this year?

Witnessing the passion of the fans

Last season saw a huge growth in attendance across the league, with almost 2.5 million fans turning up across the 34 matchweeks, with unforgettable spectacles setting the backdrop for not only the derbies in Riyadh and Jeddah, but right throughout the Kingdom.

With even more excitement building ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, and three new clubs to add their own colour and character, the atmosphere generated by the fans will once again be a sight to behold. Public Service Announcement: get ready for some seriously impressive tifo action.

Plethora of master tacticians

It’s not just prominent players that are being attracted to the RSL; the same is also true of those in the dugout as well. Blanc, a FIFA World Cup winner as player with France, arrives to take charge of Al Ittihad, rekindling a relationship with Benzema that promises great things for the Jeddah giants.

Meanwhile, former Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest manager, Sabri Lamouchi, a former teammate of Blanc’s, has been appointed at Al Riyadh, while ex-Boca Juniors full-back and ex-UAE manager, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, will try to keep the good times rolling at Al Taawoun.

And the league already boasts the likes of Jorge Jesus, Luis Castro, Matthias Jaissle and Slaven Bilic. With differing styles and philosophies, the touchline tactical battle will be fascinating to watch this season.

Shootout for the Golden Boot

The race to be the leading scorer in 2024-25 should be as fierce as ever this campaign – if not more so. As cited, Ronaldo won last season’s award with that extra-special 35 goals, but he is sure to be hunted this term by a chasing pack that includes previous record-holder Abderrazak Hamdallah - now at Al Shabab - Benzema, Aubameyang and Aleksandar Mitrovic, to name just a few.

You've also got Feras Al Buraikan, Roberto Firmino and Fashion Sakala. So, who will reign supreme? And can the 2024-25 hotshot inspire his team to success, too?

Breaking out of the chasing pack

Much is made of the so-called “Big Four” of Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli, but Al Taawoun proved last year that it’s possible to infiltrate their grip on the lead quartet positions. So, who of the chasing pack can hope to do the same this season?

Will it be Al Taawoun again? Will a reimagined Al Qadsiah aim for the stars? Or what about former champions Al Shabab, or Al Ettifaq or Al Fateh? Remember, though, that the RSL always throws up a surprise - expect this season to be no different.

Conjuring that special derby magic

Nothing stirs the passion quite like a cross-city clash, and the RSL is blessed with some of the best around. The Riyadh Derby, between Al Hilal and Al Nassr, generates a fervour like few others. And, with Al Hilal taking the bragging rights last season, what can their city rivals respond with this season?

In Jeddah, meanwhile, there is nothing quite like the sight of King Abdullah Sports City Stadium decked out in the black and yellow of Al Ittihad or the green and white of Al Ahli. Both sets of fans create an atmosphere and spectacle that must be seen to be believed.

Also, this season, the Eastern Derby between Al Ettifaq and Al Qadsiah returns to the RSL and, with both clubs aspiring for the top positions, local honours will be more important than ever.

Rather handily, the RSL has this season grouped all three derby matches in its inaugural “Magic Round”, where those fixtures take place across the same round, in Matchweek 9. It's a mouth-watering prospect, and a date to be circled on your calendar.