Conceicao, Wijnaldum, Carrasco: What you may have missed in RSL

Feature 1h 13m Ago

Right, it’s been two whole weeks since Al Nassr wrapped the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League with their hands wrapped around the trophy.

And, of course, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup right around the corner, football’s focus is soon to switch to the greatest show in all of sport.

But that doesn’t mean it’s been a quiet couple of weeks for the RSL. Anything but.

So, if you might've needed some time - understandably - to catch breath after a RSL season for the ages, or have even taken your eye off the ball, then we’ve got you covered.

Here’s some of the major storylines to come from the downtime in RSL action.

--------

New boys confirmed

Right before the campaign had concluded, we knew two of the promoted teams coming into the Saudi top flight would be Abha, as First Division champions, and Al Faisaly, who finished second in the second tier. Of course, those two clubs have previous RSL experience.

But the third and final slot would throw up an upcoming RSL debutant - and was decided days after the 2025-26 RSL came to a close. That’s where, at the same Al Awwal Park were Al Nassr were crowned champions, Al Diriyah defeated Al Ula 2-1 in extra-time in the play-off final.

Oh, and while they may have never previously competed in the RSL, you’ll recognise loads of names, including former Damac lead man Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Al Hilal title-winners Moussa Marega and Abdulellah Al Malki.

So, our 18-team 2026-27 RSL roster is complete.

--------

Major managerial changes

Even in this short space of time, there's been plenty of movement when it comes to managers.

The headline piece of news came in the past few days, with 2024-25 champions Al Ittihad parting company with Sergio Conceicao.

The former FC Porto head coach had replaced title-winning Laurent Blanc last October but won 12 of 30 league matches - even if Al Ittihad did finish fifth and thus seal the final AFC Champions League Elite berth.

Elsewhere, Jose Gomes left Al Fateh and quickly signed on at Al Khaleej, meaning Gus Poyet’s reign was brief, while Saudi standout Saad Al Shehri left Al Ettifaq following another excellent showing with successive seventh-placed finishes.

And that’s not all: Pedro Emanuel said goodbye to Al Fayha, joining Portuguese compatriot Jorge Jesus, of freshly crowned champions Al Nassr, in leaving his club at the end of the season.

So, just the five clubs who’ve changed managers, then.

--------

Wijnaldum & Co wave goodbye

Perhaps the most prominent player to depart was Georginio Wijnaldum, the Al Ettifaq captain whose time on the east coast was a huge hit.

Having arrived in the summer of 2023, the former Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder went on to make 96 RSL appearances, scoring 36 goals and leading the club with pure class. Last season was the high point, with Wijnaldum - a keen photographer, don’t you know? - bagging 16 goals and six assists.

Joining the Dutch star in exiting stage left, NEOM Sports Club announced they had released a couple of RSL legends, in Salman Al Faraj and Ahmed Hegazi.

Meanwhile, Al Khaleej playmaker Konstantinos Fortounis, one of the 2025-26 RSL’s best performers - 10 goals, 12 assists in 29 matches - has returned to his homeland, signing for Greek giants Olympiacos.

--------

Stellar stars recommit

In contrast, there’s been a couple of our principal protagonists already who've extended contracts at their respective clubs.

After a brilliant fourth-placed finish, Brendan Rodgers' Al Qadsiah continue to trend upwards with the news lead striker Julian Quinones has signed on for another three years.

The Mexico international, hoping to light up the World Cup on home soil, was rewarded for his incredible 2025-26, where a hat-trick on the final day lifted him to 33 goals and secured the RSL golden boot.

Another star performer last term, albeit in a struggling Al Shabab side, was Yannick Carrasco. The Belgian baller struck a superb 18 goals and registered eight assists - by some distance his best numbers from three seasons in the league - to help the Riyadh club ensure RSL survival.

So, it was very welcome to hear early this week that “El Capitano” had extended his deal through until next season. Can he post even better numbers in 2026-27?

--------

RSL repping at World Cup

Oh, and you might have heard (OK, it was mentioned at the top here) that there’s the small matter of a World Cup kicking off next week. Wth that in mind, if you’re worried about a lack of domestic RSL action, then why not tune into football’s greatest showpiece?

Because there, you’ll find plenty of your club heroes competing, with 47 RSL stars set to compete in the United States, Canada and Mexico. And that includes 23 of our international players, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Yassine Bono to Ivan Toney and many, many more.

Indeed, it makes the RSL the most represented league at the tournament outside of the traditional European “Big 5” and, once more, proves the Saudi top tier is very much on the rise.