Ronaldo, Al Dawsari lead 7 RSL nominees for FIFA Best - Retegui reacts

Cristiano Ronaldo and Salem Al Dawsari are among the Roshn Saudi League’s representatives nominated for the FIFA Best 2025 awards.

The world governing body announced the candidates on Thursday for this year’s honours, with seven RSL players in the running to be included in The Best FIFA Men’s 11.

Al Nassr captain Ronaldo and Al Hilal counterpart Salem Al Dawsari are candidates for the forward positions, together with Al Qadsiah’s Mateo Retegui.

Also nominated are goalkeeping pair Yassine Bono and Edouard Mendy - the Al Hilal and Al Ahli stoppers have been among the best in the RSL for the past two full seasons - Al Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly and midfield teammate Ruben Neves.

Speaking after his match-winning display in Al Qadsiah’s 4-0 victory against Al Kholood on Thursday night, Retegui was asked about the FIFA Best acknowledgement.

“I just found out and it's a nice recognition,” the summer signing from Atalanta said. “I think it’s for all the effort and all the desire I've been putting in for a long time. 

“I'm calm, always with the feet on the ground, humble - and I want to keep growing. Keep being like this: humble, training a lot, always to learn, and grow.” 

Retegui, 26, has enjoyed an incredible past 15 months. The Italy international was top scorer in last season’s Serie A, netting 25 times in 36 top-flight appearances to fire Atalanta to a third-placed finish.

His prolificacy has continued at Al Qadsiah: Retegui scored twice on RSL debut, while his double against Al Kholood lifted him to five goals in eight top-flight appearances.

With the striker settling nicely at Al Qadsiah, the Al Khobar club sit fourth in the RSL, four points off leaders Al Nassr.

“I'm very happy with the team's performance,” Retegui said of the Al Kholood victory. “We played a great match in all respects. We're happy with the three points, which were very important after the last game [a 2-0 defeat at Al Taawoun]. 

“We're going to continue with this mentality and keep adding points; that's what's important. The important thing is that the team continues as we're doing. We're growing a lot in all aspects, both defensively and attacking. We showed that today, and that's what's important.”

Voting for The Best FIFA Men’s 11 is now open at FIFA.com. Fans first select one of three formations, then can choose a goalkeeper and up to four defenders, four midfielders and three forwards for the remaining 10 spots.

Players have been nominated based on their performances from August 11, 2024, to August 2 of this year.