MW3 Talking Points: Jeddah duo dig deep, Ronaldo-Felix axis, Al Kholood off mark

And... breathe.

Another action-packed round of the Roshn Saudi League is now in the books, with Neom Sports Club and Al Najmah hosting the top flight for the first time, some summer signings strutting at the sharp end of the scoring charts, and champions Al Ittihad doing what they tend to do.

Oh, and there’s Al Nassr’s Portuguese pair firing them top, and that incredible clash in Jeddah that we’re still trying to digest.

So, without further ado, here’s some of the major taking points from an eye-opening Matchweek 3.

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Champions display that resolve

It was a case of deja vu for Al Ittihad this weekend, the RSL title-holders needing N’Golo Kante’s late screamer to depart Al Najmah with a 1-0 victory.

The fact the goal arrived deep into injury-time – the 96th minute, no less – continued a theme that underscored last season’s championship success. Back then, Al Ittihad scored in stoppage-time on no fewer than 12 occasions to either win or draw.

So, while they haven’t quite hit the heights of last term despite still boasting a 100 percent record through three matchweeks, the champions’ simply keep going until the very end. And that should bode very well for their title defence.

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Lift-off for Al Kholood

There was history almost everywhere you looked during Matchweek 3, with NEOM SC hosting the RSL for the first time ever, and Al Najmah never before welcoming the top flight in the Saudi Pro League era.

And, over in Ar Rass, a milestone moment for Al Kholood: the upward-trending club played at home for the first time since the historic takeover by the Harburg Group, which makes them the only foreign-owned outfit in the Kingdom's lead division.

It's just as well, then, that Al Kholood marked the occasion with an opening win of the season, secured against Damac courtesy of John Buckley’s exquisite free-kick nine minutes from time.

How nice was it also that, once the summer signing’s curler had found its way past Kewin in the visiting goal, the cameras panned to owner Ben Harburg celebrating among the fans in the stands. A new era was ignited.

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Ronaldo-Felix combo key

In the matchweek’s closing fixture, Al Nassr were rampant against Al Riyadh, the capital club prevailing 5-1 in the derby at Al Awwal Park to move to the top of the table.

Indeed, Al Nassr sit alongside second-placed Al Ittihad as one of only two clubs with three wins from three in the 2025-26 RSL.

The victory, like their opening triumph at Al Taawoun, arrived thanks to the exact same scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman. Against Al Riyadh, the first two bagged braces, with Felix voted Man of the Match again and moving out in front of the early season scoring charts.

Ronaldo, winner of the past two RSL golden boots, certainly has someone to truly share the burden of firing Al Nassr towards what they hope will be a first league title since 2018-19.

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Al Ahli’s never-say-die attitude

Much like their Jeddah counterparts, Al Ahli have shown real backbone this past week. First, they rallied from two goals down in the AFC Champions League Elite opener against Nasaf Qarshi to triumph 4-2.

Then, on Friday, the Asian champions needed all their mettle to overturn a 3-0 reverse to draw 3-3 at home to Al Hilal. In fact, the incredible turnaround unspooled across the final 13 minutes, when Ivan Toney struck twice before Merih Demiral headed home in injury-time for a point.

Al Ahli, continental kings, suggested they fancy a domestic title challenge this campaign, too. And one of their most important weapons in that quest? Their fervent home support, highlighted by their amazing tifo tribute pre-match to manager Matthias Jaissle.

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Retegui, King settling FAST

You know, Joao Felix isn’t the only summer signing to burst out of the blocks. In Mateo Retegui and Joshua King, Al Qadsiah and Al Khaleej, respectively, have ferocious forwards that have already exhibited their prowess in front of goal.

On Saturday, Retegui struck a fine free-kick in Al Qadsiah’s 2-1 victory at home to King’s Al Khaleej, with the Norwegian finding the net for the visitors. It takes King to second in the scoring charts, with four goals, while Retegui, top scorer in last season’s Serie A, has three.

Overall, the race for the golden boot seems set to be one of the most exciting storylines of the 2025-26 RSL. And that’s before you factor in Ronaldo, Toney, Al Ittihad pair Karim Benzema and Steven Bergwijn, and Al Hilal’s Malcom, who all have three goals through the first three rounds.

If you thought last season's goalscoring battle was gripping, you ain't seen nothing yet.