MW6 Talking Points: Super Ronaldo, defiant Benzema, positives for lowly pair

Matchweek 6 wasn’t all about the Saudi Clasico, although of course the spotlight was trained on Alinma Stadium last Friday, where Al Hilal saw off Roshn Saudi League champions Al Ittihad in front of more than 46,500 spectators.

But there was also the incomparable Cristiano Ronaldo helping Al Nassr to a sixth win from six, some of the season's surprise packages continuing to flourish, and even positives - finally - for a few at the wrong end of the standings.

So, sit back and take in some of the major storylines to come from Matchweek 6.

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Ronaldo hits another milestone

Cristiano Ronaldo’s appetite for the game - and goals - is really something to behold.

The Al Nassr captain was once more integral to the league leaders’ sixth win of the campaign, scoring the second in their 2-0 victory at Al Hazem. Not only did it help maintain Al Nassr’s 100 per cent start to the RSL season, but it marked yet another personal milestone: Ronaldo’s 950th professional career goal.

Aged 40 but having extended his Al Nassr contract to 2027 and still firing on the international stage, too, the target of 1,000 goals now moves ever closer on the horizon.

As he's showing in the 2025-26 RSL, where he has six goals to sit three behind teammate Joao Felix in the race for the golden boot, Ronaldo remains as ruthless as ever.

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Like Leonardo’s never been away

Continuing the theme, what about Marcos Leonardo lately? Not included in Al Hilal’s initial RSL squad, the Brazilian was summoned back after the injury to Joao Cancelo and has absolutely shown what he can do.

While Leonardo won’t score many easier than Al Hilal’s second in their 2-0 Clasico win at Al Ittihad on Friday, it took his tally to five goals in three RSL matches since his return. It’s a phenomenal record, and when added to his dazzling debut campaign last term, he now has 22 goals in 27 league games.

Leonardo’s inspired comeback has allowed Al Hilal to reel off three successive wins in the division - they remain unbeaten through six rounds - and to jump to third in the table, four points off the summit. Whisper it, but the 2023-24 champions have found their feet with new manager Simone Inzaghi.

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Benzema issues rallying cry

For Al Hilal’s delight, there was Al Ittihad’s dismay. The defending champions weren’t particularly poor in the Clasico, especially in the first half, but the defeat means they’re winless in the league in three - and have slipped to seventh spot.

Understandably, they’re still getting used a new voice in the dugout, after Sergio Conceicao replaced Laurent Blanc less than three weeks ago. However, competing on three fronts at the moment, the matches come thick and fast.

It’s why, presumably, that Karim Benzema used the opportunity post-match at Alinma Stadium on Friday to rally his beaten troops. “We need to work together,” the captain said, adding that he believed his side can respond immediately.

That next challenge? Al Nassr, away, in the King’s Cup last 16 on Tuesday. Remember, Al Ittihad are the holders of that coveted trophy, too, and as Benzema intimated, they won’t be giving it up without a fight.

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Al Taawoun, Al Khaleej keep trending

While the champions aren’t exactly firing on all cylinders, the same can’t be said for a couple of sides who have raced out of the blocks this season.

Al Taawoun and Al Khaleej are enjoying their best-ever starts to an RSL campaign, the former’s 2-1 triumph at Al Fayha on Thursday meaning they’ve won five on the bounce since their opening defeat to Al Nassr.

It's appropriate to mention their Riyadh rivals. That’s because Al Taawoun represent their closest challengers in the standings at present; incredibly, they are second, with returning manager Pericles Chamusca working his magic once more.

OK, perhaps Al Khaleej haven’t been as great - statistically, only Al Nassr have - but, like Al Taawoun, the Saihat club have never enjoyed a brighter beginning to the season.

Their 1-1 draw at NEOM Sports Club on Friday moved Al Khaleej to 10 points from six rounds and keeps them sixth – above Al Ittihad on goal difference and within touch of Al Ahli in fifth. Undeniably, RSL pioneer Georgios Donis has built a team in his own image there.

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Al Okhdood, Damac must build

Speaking of building, that’s exactly what a pair of protagonists at the wrong end of the table must do now. Heading into Matchweek 6, few would’ve fancied the chances of Al Okhdood at third-placed Al Qadsiah, and Damac heading to Al Shabab.

Al Okhdood languished second from bottom having lost all five games. Damac weren’t much better, with a solitary point to show for their effort this season. Yet, both returned home from tough tests with what they hope will be a morale-boosting point.

On Saturday, Al Okhdood held free-scoring Al Qadsiah, replete with last season’s top scorer in Serie A Mateo Retegui and an in-form Julian Quinones, to a stalemate in Dammam.

Shortly after, Damac fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Al Shabab, even playing the entire second half with 10 men following Abdelkader Bedrane’s straight red.

The positives have been difficult to come by for both so far in 2025-26, but that’s exactly what Al Okhdood and Damac should extract from Matchweek 6. Now is as good a time as any to truly kick-start their respective RSL seasons.