Surging Al Nassr and other headline-makers as riveting RSL catches breath

The Roshn Saudi League season might be only four rounds in, but there’s been no shortage of talking points across the first month of the season.

New campaigns bring fresh storylines and new narratives, so here we take you through some of the biggest talking points from an epic opening to the 2025-26 RSL.

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Al Nassr make early running

With so much change at Al Nassr during the off-season, the major question coming into the new campaign was whether they would hit the ground running or take time to adjust to new manager Jorge Jesus’ style - and demands.

Well, the verdict after the opening four rounds has been emphatic: as it stands, Al Nassr are very much the team to beat. The injection of Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman has given the Riyadh giants fresh attacking impetus alongside the imperious Cristiano Ronaldo and an in-form Sadio Mane.

Add in the astute addition of Inigo Martinez, who has replaced Aymeric Laporte seamlessly, and Al Nassr are cooking.

Four games, four wins, 14 goals scored and only one conceded. Chasing a first RSL title since 2018-19, the gauntlet has been laid down.

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Change at the champions

Four games in and we’ve already had our first coaching casualty - it’s just perhaps we didn’t envisage it would come at the champions.

Early on Sunday, Al Ittihad announced they had parted company with Laurent Blanc, only months after the Frenchman had guided the club to the title in his debut season.

Having taken a more cautious approach to the summer transfer window, in which they preferred stability over substantial change, Al Ittihad management reacted to Friday’s 2-0 defeat to championship rivals Al Nassr by acting decisively.

Now, as they seek to appoint a "new technical staff that matches the club’s ambitions”, the title-holders will expect to return from the international break later this month with a bang. It’s worth remembering, of course, they’re sit third in the table, only three points off Al Nassr.

Still, Al Ittihad obviously realised change was required to give them the best chance of retaining the crown they captured so brilliantly last season.

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Chamusca a charm again

It’s often said that lightning doesn’t strike twice, so when Al Taawoun opted this summer to re-appoint Pericles Chamusca as manager, there were questions as to whether they were imbued by a sense of romanticism instead of reality.

The Brazilian had taken the Buraidah club to a fourth-placed finish two seasons ago - and a place in the AFC Champions League Two - but with the addition to the division of the likes of Al Qadsiah and NEOM Sports Club, who Chamusca helped guide to a historic promotion, could he repeat the feat?

The early evidence suggests the charismatic coach just might. For Chamusca has Al Taawoun in fifth after four games, with three wins from four. Admittedly, these are early days, but the returning manager has provided a platform for another fantastic season.

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Bottom clubs search for lift

It’s the fate that no one wants, but one that is a reality of football the world over; that, come the conclusion of the campaign, some clubs must drop from the top division.

Focusing on the RSL, we have five teams yet to record a win this season. As such, they occupy the bottom five slots in the standings: Al Hazem in 14th, down through Damac, Al Fateh and Al Najmah, to Al Okhdood in 18th.

Granted, there’s more than ample time to turn around seasons, as Al Fateh proved spectacularly last term. However, those teams searching still for a first three points this time will recognise the need to do so as swiftly as possible.

This international break, therefore, offers the perfect opportunity to reset, refocus, and go again.

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NEOM SC settling into RSL life

One of the biggest unknowns heading into the season was how NEOM Sports Club would fare in their debut RSL campaign.

Having recruited well in the off-season, headlined by the acquisition of former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and embroidered by a succession of promising young talents, we couldn’t be certain as to just how long it would take for them to settle into life in the top flight.

Remember, there was also a fresh face in the dugout, in Frenchman Christophe Galtier.

NEOM SC's French connection brings distinct flavour to Tabuk

Club host RSL for 1st time in history this Thursday

Yet the answer has been not very long at all. After losing their debut match away to Al Ahli - no great disappointment - the Tabuk side have reeled off three wins on the bounce to sit fourth.

While Galtier will for sure be targeting improvement from a side that are, understandably, still gelling, he will most likely be content with the progress thus far.

Could NEOM SC, just like new boys Al Qadsiah did last season, play a decisive role in the race not only for top four, but the title?

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Fight for Ronaldo’s perch is on

For the past two seasons, Ronaldo has pushed back the boundaries as only he can.

Having landed the 2023-24 RSL golden boot in record-breaking fashion, the Al Nassr captain was at it again last term, finishing top scorer once more. And that even a few months removed from celebrating a milestone birthday.

While the likes of Ivan Toney and Karim Benzema pushed him hard, this season promises to be even more of a fight for that coveted individual prize.

After four matchweeks, the scoring charts are full of inspired and in-form frontmen, with Al Nassr teammate Joao Felix leading the way with five goals.

Ronaldo sits one back, alongside Al Khaleej summer signing Joshua King, while the list of those with three goals stretches to a barely believable 10.

That merry band of attacking brothers includes Al Ittihad pair Benzema and Steven Bergwijn, Al Qadsiah duo Julian Quinones and Mateo Retegui, Toney at Ahli and Al Hilal’s Malcom.

With sharp-shooters galore, the battle for the 2025-26 golden boot promises to be absolute fire.