MW21 Talking Points: Benzema bow, Mane the man, 4-way battle at bottom

The truly hectic Roshn Saudi League schedule has some breathing space following a momentous Matchweek 21, in which some of the division’s most prominent names came to the fore.

Whether it was an Al Hilal debut for the ages, or an African champion stepping up for Al Nassr, or Saad Al Shehri’s excellent Al Ettifaq, this was another round that you couldn’t take your eyes off.

So, as we catch breath with a full four days before the next matchweek kicks off - I know, how will we fill the void? - here’s some of the major storylines to come from the past three days of action.

-------- 

Benzema boosts Al Hilal title tilt

As far as debuts go, this was basically as good as it gets. Karim Benzema marked his high-profile switch from champions Al Ittihad to current table-toppers Al Hilal with a hat-trick at Al Okhdood - ironically, his second in Najran this season.

Not only that, but the Ballon d’Or grabbed an assist, too, in the 6-0 win and was deservedly voted Man of the Match.

So Al Hilal, already in pole position, stay at the summit, one point above Al Nassr and three above Al Ahli, who both won too. The division’s highest scorers at the moment, they already had the firepower to shoot down their championship rivals.

But Benzema’s arrival no doubt bolsters the 2023-24 champions’ chances of reclaiming the title. No wonder the Real Madrid great declared how happy he was after announcing his Al Hilal arrival with a bang.

--------

Mane the man for Al Nassr

No Cristiano Ronaldo, no problem for Al Nassr. Of course, the championship challengers are better with their captain, the man who’s landed the past two RSL golden boots. 

However, in his absence, it needed someone to step into the breach. And that’s been Sadio Mane. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations winner, the tournament’s MVP, grabbed the winner last time out at Al Riyadh, then this round opened the scoring in the huge 2-0 victory against Al Ittihad.

Channelling Ronaldo, he did so from the penalty spot, when there were only six minutes of normal time remaining. It represented a massive moment. As such, Al Nassr stay one point back from Al Hilal, with mighty Mane keeping alive dreams of a first RSL crown in eight years.

--------

Al Ettifaq eying top five

With all the chat about the gripping title race - remember, Al Qadsiah are fourth, but only six points off the top - and the relegation battle taking shape, Al Ettifaq have quietly put together a superb run.

The 2-0 home triumph against Damac made it four wins and a draw from their past six, a streak that’s included victories at Al Ittihad and against Al Taawoun.

In fact, the latest win has moved sixth-placed Al Ettifaq to within four points off Pericles Chamusca's early season runners, who have slipped from second to fifth. But, like his Brazilian counterpart, the job Saad Al Shehri is doing at Al Ettifaq shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Flying the flag for Saudi Arabian coaches, he is proving last term’s strong end to the campaign was no fluke. What he and captain Georginio Wijnaldum, who scored again this round, mean to the Dammam club. Working in tandem, their leadership is incredible.

--------

Sakala surge right on time

Like Al Ettifaq, Al Fayha are enjoying their finest spell this season. Flirting with relegation, and coming off particularly heavy defeats to Al Qadsiah and Al Hilal, the Al Majma’ah outfit were looking over their shoulder.

However, then they reeled off three wins from four matches, the 3-0 triumph at home to Al Najmah meaning they’ve scored three times in each of those victories. And a huge reason for the uptick?

Yes, the typically reliable Fashion Sakala. The Zambian hadn’t been enjoying the greatest of campaigns, especially in front of goal, with only four goals in 14 RSL appearances. Then he scored in the 2-0 win against Al Fateh, notched another against Al Khaleej and, this time, nabbed the opener.

What’s more, Sakala added an assist also, helping him collect another Man of the Match award. No wonder he marked his goal with a Ronaldo “SIU” celebration. For, in firing Al Fayha up to comfortably midtable - 11th, they are only five points off eighth - the African attacker must feel like the “GOAT” right now.

--------

Gap opens to bottom four

While the race for the top-flight trophy is shaping into a classic, at the other end of the table, the scrap looks slightly more set. Chiefly, after a matchweek in which the league’s four lowest clubs all lost, it seems the fight for survival will come down to that quartet.

Al Najmah are moored at the foot of the standings, without a win this season in all 20 matches, five points off second-last Al Okhdood. Al Riyadh make up the drop zone, two points better off, with Damac above them only on goal difference.

Al Kholood’s excellent 1-0 victory at home to in-form Al Shabab - impressive young Saudi Abdulaziz Al Elewa got the winner - was timely: they stay 14th but have opened a seven-point gap to Damac.

So, with the 2025-26 season past halfway stage, it appears the battle to beat the drop is reduced to four teams. Although, as the RSL usually proves, you can expect a few twists and turns to come yet.