The Saudi Pro League is in full swing after a summer of extravagant spending, and the race for the Golden Boot is heating up with some high-profile arrivals making their mark in the Middle East.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made an explosive start to the season with Al-Nassr, scoring an impressive 11 goals in just nine appearances. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner showcased his prowess by netting a hat-trick against Al-Fateh in August and a match-winning brace against title rivals Al-Ahli last month.
Ronaldo has also contributed five assists, making him the joint-second highest assist provider in the division.
striker Aleksandar Mitrovic wasted no time adapting to Saudi Arabia. He joined the league leaders, Al-Hilal, from Fulham in August and has already notched seven goals in eight league matches.
His highlight was a spectacular hat-trick against Al-Ittihad at the beginning of September, securing a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Moussa Dembele made a memorable debut by scoring against Al-Nassr, and he has continued to impress for Al-Ettifaq, finding the net seven times in eight matches.
His partnership with fellow summer signing Jordan Henderson has been fruitful, and he will play a pivotal role in Steven Gerrard’s debut season as manager.
Morocco international Mourad Batna, who joined Al-Fateh in 2020, is on track to surpass his previous season’s record of 10 goals.
The 33-year-old has already scored seven times in 10 appearances and added five assists, significantly contributing to Al-Fateh’s sixth-place position in the table.
Brazilian playmaker Anderson Talisca, despite missing four of Al-Nassr’s initial five games, has made a resounding return to full fitness. He has scored six goals in as many games, finding the net in each of his last five league appearances.
Talisca boasts an impressive record of 54 goals in 69 matches across all competitions since joining Al-Nassr in May 2021.
Malcom, the second-most expensive signing in Saudi Pro League history, is delivering for Al-Hilal with six goals in 10 games. His league debut included a memorable hat-trick against Abha in August, and he has played a crucial role in maintaining his team’s unbeaten start to the campaign, despite a recent goal drought.
Sadio Mane, after a challenging spell at Bayern Munich, made a strong start in Al-Nassr colors by scoring six times in his first six league appearances. While he hasn’t found the back of the net in his last four games, it’s only a matter of time before he rediscovers his scoring touch. In the meantime, he has provided two assists, one each for Ronaldo and Talisca.
Salem Al-Dawsari has had a remarkable start to the season, bagging six goals in 10 league appearances. The 32-year-old, who famously scored the winner for Saudi Arabia against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, has been a product of Al-Hilal’s youth system and has amassed 88 goals in 368 matches for the club since his senior debut in 2011.
His six goals this season came in four consecutive games, and he’s looking to add to his tally after a scoring hiatus since a 6-1 victory over Al-Riyadh on September 15.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou is enjoying a resurgence at Damac after joining from Besiktas on a free transfer in the summer. The former Tottenham winger has scored in his last four league matches, including a goal against high-flying Al-Nassr.
N’Koudou is aiming to earn a spot in Cameroon’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in January based on his impressive domestic form.