Lightning Locals: 10 Saudi stars to shine in 2026-27 RSL
Watching new Saudi Arabian stars emerge is always one of the most exciting elements of the Roshn Saudi League and, when allied with the prospect of a home AFC Asian Cup taking place in a few months, it only amplifies the stakes.
So, with the 2026-27 RSL kicking off on Thursday, here are 10 homegrown talents to keep an eye on this season.
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Salem Al Dawsari - Al Hilal
While others are making a play for his crown, the Al Hilal captain remains Saudi Arabia’s biggest star. However, at 34 years of age, he is closer to the end of his career than the start.
Al Dawsari comes into this season with something to prove after a quieter-than-expected 2025-26, with eight goals in the RSL compared to 15 and 14 in the previous two campaigns.
How he responds will be key for both the national team and Al Hilal, who will be intent on going one better than their runner-up finish last term.
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Musab Al Juwayr - Al Qadsiah
The apparent heir to Al Dawsari’s throne, the 23-year-old has emerged in recent seasons as the most exciting player of his generation - and has only taken his game to another level under manager Brendan Rodgers at Al Qadsiah.
Al Juwayr finished last term with six goals and 11 assists to earn SPL Best Saudi Player of the Season, and this could be the campaign he truly emerges as the star the future of Saudi football is built around.
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Feras Al Buraikan - Al Ahli
The air-guitar-playing forward remains Saudi Arabia’s established strike option to lead the attack, although the arrival of Ivan Toney in Jeddah has limited his opportunities at club level.
Al Buraikan’s past two seasons have been lean by his standards, but one of the keys for Al Ahli in 2026-27 is finding other avenues to goal outside of Toney.
That, in turn, will present opportunities for Al Buraikan, who will be hoping to take goalscoring momentum into the Asian Cup.
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Khalid Al Ghannam - Al Ettifaq
After teasing it at points throughout his career, the 25-year-old finally delivered on his potential last season - and did so in a massive way.
Al Ghannam stood tall the 2025-26 RSL’s leading Saudi goalscorer and had 20 goal contributions (13 goals, 7 assists), more than both Al Dawsari and Al Juwayr.
The question now is can he back it up again? Under an attack-minded new manager in Arthur Papas, Al Ghannam looms as a key player to watch this season.
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Faisal Al Ghamdi - NEOM Sports Club
Heralded not that long ago as one of the midfield generals for the Green Falcons of the next decade, the Al Ittihad loanee endured a frustrating time of it last season after returning to Jeddah following an impressive campaign in Belgium.
Al Ghamdi’s loan move to NEOM SC therefore offers fresh hope of regular football - and with it a possible a return to the national team for one of Saudi Arabia’s most gifted players.
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Abdulaziz Al Elewa - Al Kholood
The 22-year-old was a bolt from the blue last season at Al Kholood, making the most of regular playing opportunities that he found hard to come by at both Al Nassr and Al Ettifaq.
Four times named Young Player of the Month, Al Elewa concluded the campaign with four goals and two assists - part of an impact that saw him named the league’s Young Player of the Season.
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Faris Abdi - Al Ittihad
A name perhaps unfamiliar to a lot of observers, but one that could be a bolter this season - if you can use that term for a 27-year-old.
Abdi has an interesting backstory, born in San Diego and spending time at the IMG Academy in Florida, before returning to Saudi Arabia at the start of the decade.
A regular in recent years for Al Fayha and NEOM SC, the foraging full-back landed his big move this summer to Al Ittihad.
New manager Jens Wissing obviously likes what he sees, starting Abdi in this week’s AFC Champions League Elite play-off win at UAE side Al Jazira.
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Saleh Abu Al Shamat - Al Ahli
Still only 23, the Al Ahli attacking midfielder was something of a surprise exclusion from the final squad for the World Cup, having established himself as something of a regular during the previous 12 months.
So Abu Al Shamat comes into this season with something to prove and with a new coach at the helm of Al Ahli, he has another chance to impress. If the mega-talented starlet can re-find the form that got him into the national team, he will be hard to stop.
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Nawaf Al Boushal - Al Nassr
An enterprising full-back that can play on either flank, the Al Nassr defender became a key pillar of Jorge Jesus’ side last term as they stormed to the RSL title, finishing the season with six assists - typically much to Cristiano Ronaldo’s delight.
Saudi Arabia have always had a history of producing great full-backs and Al Boushal is establishing himself as one of the very best of this generation.
Under the recently appointed Ange Postecoglou, who is known for his love of attacking defenders, expect the 26-year-old to stand out again.
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Sabri Dahal - Al Hilal
Teenage breakout campaigns don’t come much better than last season for the then-Al Fayha winger.
Aged 18, Dahal became the youngest player ever to be named RSL Man of the Match - an honour he collected twice in all - and the youngest goalscorer last term, coming at the age of 17 years and 10 months.
Dahal ended the campaign with a total of seven goal contributions, including three goals - and promptly sealed a transfer to RSL giants Al Hilal.
