Football NewsThe GuardianUnverified source· 12 Aug 2026
Saudi Pro League shifts focus from megastars to raising standards
As Ronaldo chases 1,000 goals, the league aims for value beyond big-name signings.

Season
New season kicks off Thursday
Spending
$957m spent in summer 2023
Ronaldo age
41 years old
Ronaldo goals
24 shy of 1,000 career goals
What happened. The Saudi Pro League begins its new season without Mohamed Salah, signaling a shift away from ageing megastars, though Cristiano Ronaldo remains a central figure as he nears 1,000 career goals.
- Ronaldo has scored 102 goals in 107 league games for Al-Nassr.
- League aims to improve overall Saudi football, not just clubs.
- Previous spending brought international deals and global visibility.
The league plans to focus on value and development, moving beyond the era of big-name signings.
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