Soccermag’s Best Saudi Pro League XI

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The Saudi Pro League has taken the footballing world by storm since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in January. The Saudi Public Investment Fund has set aside 20 billion pounds to invest in the league with the aim of competing with Europe’s biggest competitions.

Here are Soccermag’s picks for the Saudi Pro League’s ultimate starting XI.

 

Goalkeeper

Edouard Mendy -Al Ahli
Mendy moved from Chelsea to Al Ahli in a deal worth roughly 20 million euros. The 2022 FIFA Men’s Best Goalkeeper may have fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge, but there is still plenty of football ahead for the 31-year-old.

Defenders

Ghislain Konan – Al Nassr
Konan is one of the lesser-known names on this list, with the 27-year-old making a move from Stade Reims in Ligue 1 to Al Nassr one year ago. Konan is an experienced European player, having made 100 appearances for Stade Reims over a four-year period.

Kalidou Koulibaly – Al Hilal
Koulibaly is easily the biggest defensive signing the Saudi Pro League managed to complete. Koulibaly was arguably the best central defender in the world while at Napoli, and despite his poor season at Chelsea, he is a statement signing by Al Hilal.

Ahmed Hegazi – Al Ittihad
Hegazi is another defender that played at the highest level, with the Egyptian centre back’s time in the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion his most notable. Hegazi also has three seasons of experience in Serie A for Fiorentina, where he began his European career.

Midfielders

Marcelo Brozovic – Al Nassr
Croatian midfielder Brozovic’s signing is another signal of intent from Al Nassr, the side who have made the biggest moves so far this window. Brozovic was arguably Inter Milan’s most important midfielder, with his engine and ability the catalyst for Nicolo Barella’s and Hakan Calhonoglu’s success.

Ngolo Kante – Al Ittihad
The first of Al Ittihad’s big name signings, Kante joined from Chelsea after his contract expired at the end of the 2022/23 season. Kante has struggled with injury in recent years but when fit he is still one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, even at 35.

Ruben Neves – Al Hilal
Neves is currently the most expensive Saudi Pro League signing of the transfer window, with his move from Wolves costing more than 50 million euros. Neves is yet to hit the prime of his career and will comfortably be among the best midfielders in the league upon his arrival.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Al Hilal
Serbian midfielder Milinkovic-Savic was a shock signing by Al-Hilal in a move worth 40 million euros. Lazio have been insistent on his importance to the club for years, with club president Claudio Lotito claiming he rejected a 140-million-euro bid from AC Milan just a few years ago.

Forwards: 

Roberto Firmino – Al Ahli
Firmino will be joining Edouard Mendy as one of Al Ahli’s big-name arrivals, with the Brazilian joining from Liverpool after eight years in the Premier League. At just 31 years of age, Firmino is far from finished and will be hoping to leave his mark in Saudi Arabia.

Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad
The current Ballon d’Or holder, Benzema is the biggest arrival of the current window. Benzema requested to leave Real Madrid after more than a decade in Spain’s capital having won literally every trophy possible. Benzema will be rivalling former Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo for the golden boot in the coming campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr
The most important name on this list that needs no explanation, Ronaldo began the Saudi revolution with his move from Manchester United in January. His performances for Al Nassr have been pretty respectable, and with reinforcements set to arrive before the new season the Portuguese striker is set for a dominant title charge.

Photo: Twitter @DeadlineDayLive

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Dylan Johnson