English Premier League
Ronaldo targets 1,000 goals as Benzema and Saudi Pro League stars face defining seasons
Cristiano Ronaldo begins the new Roshn Saudi League season with 24 goals standing between him and a landmark no footballer has reached before: 1,000 career goals.
The Al Nassr captain has scored 976 times and could make history during a campaign that may also be the final season of his career. His contract expires at the end of the season, although the Portugal forward enters it having already achieved the biggest collective ambition of his time in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo helped Al Nassr win the Saudi league title last season, ending a seven-year wait for the club. His attention can now turn to the individual record, with the 41-year-old needing 24 goals to become the first player to reach 1,000 in the history of the game.
That target is within his reach. In each of his three completed Roshn Saudi League seasons, Ronaldo has scored at least 25 goals, with his lowest total coming in 2024-25.
He will also have opportunities beyond the league, with Al Nassr competing in the Saudi Super Cup, the King Cup and the AFC Champions League Elite.
Benzema seeks a successful farewell
Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate, could also be entering the final season of his playing career. The France striker, who is 38, has previously been linked with retirement.
Benzema joined Al Hilal during the most recent winter transfer window after terminating his contract with Al Ittihad in a high-profile move. His principal objective will be to lead Al Hilal to the Roshn Saudi League title, which the club have failed to win in the past two seasons.
Winning the championship would offer Benzema an ideal conclusion not only because of the importance of the trophy, but also because of the circumstances surrounding his move from Al Ittihad. His transfer angered many Al Ittihad supporters, and he will be keen to avoid a similar reaction from Al Hilal fans if they believe he has failed to improve the team.
Injuries were a particular problem for Benzema during the second half of last season, keeping him out of several matches. He will need to overcome those difficulties, especially with his 39th birthday approaching at the end of 2026.
If he succeeds, Benzema would join a select group of players to win the Saudi league title with both Al Hilal and Al Ittihad. He previously helped Al Ittihad claim the championship in 2024-25.
Al Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari, meanwhile, is trying to prevent this season from becoming his own farewell. He endured one of the poorest campaigns of his career last term under Italian manager Simone Inzaghi and came under heavy criticism from the club’s supporters.
The winger was linked with a move away during the current summer transfer window, with interest reported from newly promoted Al-Diriyah and several clubs in the Qatar Stars League. Although Al-Dawsari has remained at Al Hilal, he is widely expected to leave after this season and could even be forced to retire at that point.
To extend his stay, the captain must produce an exceptional campaign both individually and with the team. That task is complicated by Inzaghi’s tactical demands, an injury with which he will start the season, and the arrival of Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, who operates in the same position.
Toney and En-Nesyri chasing redemption
Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney is preparing for his third season in Saudi Arabia and remains determined to claim a prize he has narrowly missed twice: the league’s top-scorer award.
Last season, Toney lost the race in dramatic fashion to Al Qadsiah forward Julian Quinones. Quinones scored twice against Al Ittihad on the final matchday to finish with 33 goals, one ahead of Toney.
Toney had also missed out the previous season, when Ronaldo finished top with a two-goal advantage. The Englishman is seeking his first golden boot in a major competition since joining the Saudi league, and only the second top-scorer award of his career.
His previous success came five years ago, when he finished as the leading scorer in the English Championship with Brentford during the 2020-21 season.
At Al Ittihad, Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri was signed to replace Benzema after the Frenchman’s departure. So far, however, he has struggled to fulfil that role.
Before the new campaign, En-Nesyri was linked with a return to the Moroccan league amid reports that German manager Jens Wissing has doubts about his abilities. Those developments underline the difficulty of his position, but they may also provide the motivation for him to respond on the pitch.
En-Nesyri’s main ambition will be to rediscover his best form with Al Ittihad and answer those who have questioned his ability by producing his strongest performances since moving to Saudi Arabia.