MW8 Talking Points: Ronaldo's ton, Al Ittihad woe, Fortounis on fire

The Roshn Saudi League signed off for the latest international break with a display of serious firepower, with goals aplenty, Cristiano Ronaldo doing Cristiano Ronaldo things and an incredible atmosphere willing on a fiery Sea Derby in Jeddah.

We’ve sifted through the games, and the fallout, to bring you some of the main storylines from a thrilling Matchweek 8.

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Ronaldo the RSL centurion

Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty 20 minutes into the second half at NEOM Sports Club probably felt routine.

For, it was only the previous week that the Al Nassr captain kept his cool 14 minutes into injury-time to convert a spot-kick winner against Al Fayha - despite admitting to some nerves.

That said, a second successive success helped the RSL leaders to a 3-1 victory, making it a perfect eight from eight to start the 2025-26 top flight. Al Nassr are three clear at the summit.

However, Ronaldo’s contribution was notable for another, more personal, reason. With it, the Portuguese superstar racked up his 100th goal involvement in the RSL: 83 goals, 17 assists, and all from only 85 matches.

Even at 40, he is second in the 2025-26 scoring charts, with nine goals in eight appearances. Remember, he's hunting down a third consecutive golden boot. The GOAT? Hard to argue.

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Al Ittihad in need of boost

Firstly, plaudits in the Sea Derby should go to the victors. Al Ahli came through an intense Jeddah joust with rivals Al Ittihad to emerge 1-0 winners, thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s 55th-minute finish.

The Asian champions needed also Edouard Mendy to save them at the death, but a first statement result of their season was theirs.

Al Ittihad, meanwhile, are still searching for that. The RSL title-holders have now gone winless in the competition in five matches and sit eighth in the table after eight rounds.

New manager Sergio Conceicao has not been in the role for long, but he’s finding life comes at you fast in the Saudi top flight. The Portuguese coach has picked up only two points from four league matches, so the break probably comes at an opportune time.

Al Ittihad need to close ranks, work hard together, and breathe life back into their title defence.

Check out the Story of the Sea Derby - Best Images

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Photo Albums 22h 11m Ago

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FIFA Best come to fore

Thursday brought some real recognition for the RSL, with seven players included on the world governing body's list for The Best FIFA Men’s 11.

Headlined by Ronaldo and Al Hilal captain Salem Al Dawsari, the band of brothers also comprised Al Hilal trio Yassine Bono, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ruben Neves, Al Ahli’s Mendy and Al Qadsiah’s Mateo Retegui.

It felt fitting, then, that they all enjoyed a mega Matchweek 8. Retegui got the ball rolling, with a double for Al Qadsiah to return to winning ways via a 4-0 victory at home to Al Kholood.

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

Bono, Mendy, Koulibaly and Neves also recognised

Not to be outdone, Al Dawsari netted a brace and grabbed an assist in Al Hilal’s 4-2 win at bottom club Al Najmah, with Neves notching a goal for himself, too. Bono and Koulibaly also played their part in the 2023-24 champions’ fifth RSL win on the bounce as Al Hilal stay third, four points off the summit.

To round off our FIFA nominees, as mentioned, Ronaldo and Mendy made their mark also. So, what are you waiting for? Show your support and get voting for our Magnificent Seven.

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Fortounis on fire

Right before Al Khaleej’s match at Al Hazem, Konstantinos Fortounis was presented with the RSL’s October Player of the Month award.

The honour was much deserved: through Matchweeks 5-7, the Greek international scored twice and registered three assists as Al Khaleej went unbeaten; in the jaw-dropping 4-4 draw with Al Ittihad, Fortounis had a hand in all four of his team’s goals. He perches atop of the 2025-26 assist charts.

How nice it must have been, therefore, for Fortounis to mark his moment with the opener at Al Hazem, underlining his potent partnership with Joshua King by - this time - finishing off a link-up between the pair.

Of course, Fortounis would get what now feels his customary assist, when he teed up compatriot Giorgos Masouras to put Al Khaleej back in front right on half-time. Eventually, the visitors to Ar Rass departed with a 4-1 win to stay sixth and keep in touch of the top four.

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Al Shabab must embrace break

If Al Ittihad will look forward to this brief pause in the RSL, the same must be said for Al Shabab. The storied Riyadh club have endured a poor start also, with the 1-1 home draw with Al Ettifaq making it six league games without a win. In fact, they’ve won once in eight thus far.

Put plainly, this is not the impact expected to be made by Imanol Alguacil, the much-respected Spanish manager appointed in the summer. Quite remarkably, Al Shabab languish in 13th, only three points above the relegation zone.

The 2011-12 champions’ main issue is obvious: with only six goals scored, they possess the joint-worst attack in the division in that respect. Indeed, Yannick Carrasco has four of those, so for sure needs help from his fellow forwards.

Undeniably, Al Shabab will point to their flurry of deadline-day business as reason for their travails, and that having a break in competition will allow the squad much-needed time on the training pitch.

But, with Al Okhdood to come in their only fixture before the next RSL hiatus, Alguacil's Al Shabab must get motoring - and fast.