March 2025 Saudi Pro League Recap: Al Ittihad’s Lead, Ronaldo’s Brilliance & AFC Race
March 2025 proved to be yet another month of thrilling drama, unforgettable moments, and intense competition, adding to the ever-growing evidence of the Saudi Pro League’s rise in global prominence.
Teams battled fiercely for every point available, with every match contributing storylines to the emerging narrative of the 2024-2025 season. Here are the major stories from the month of March in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Ittihad’s Dominance
Al Ittihad are the team to beat in the Saudi Pro League this season. They sit at the top of the table with 61 points from 25 rounds of fixtures. They are comfortably 4 points clear of second-placed Al Hilal and 10 points ahead of third- and fourth-placed Al Nassr and Al Qadsiah, respectively.
As the month of March has unfolded, Al Ittihad’s dominance has come clear at the top of the table. They have displayed a cohesive blend of experience, leadership, and individual brilliance, which have anchored their success.
At the heart of Al Ittihad’s success has been the star turn of Fabinho. The Champions League and Premier League winner with Liverpool is the driving force of Laurent Blanc’s side, dictating the tempo of games with his precise passing and defensive awareness.
The journey for Al Ittihad so far captures a significant improvement from last season as they look to press home their advantage in the business end of the Saudi Pro League season and close in on securing the title away from Al Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Impact
The legend of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of world football’s greatest icons, continues to grow unabated in the Saudi Pro League. At 40, Ronaldo is defying age and expectations, proving why he remains a force to be reckoned with. His influence extends beyond the pitch, exemplifying leadership and inspiration to his teammates and his fans.
Ronaldo scored in the 2-2 draw at home to Al Shabab at the beginning of the match, helping his side to a point. He was also on target in the 3-0 win in the second leg of their AFC Champions League at home to Esteghlal F.C. This was crucial as the first leg ended in a barren stalemate, with the second leg decisive for A Nassr progressing into the quarter-finals.
Ronaldo was at hand to open the scoring for Al Nassr in their Saudi Pro League clash against Al Okhdood, helping his side to a 3-1 home win. The three goals he has scored in March means that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid ace continues to lead the Saudi Pro League top scorers chart with 19 goals, 2 goals ahead of Al Shabab’s Abderrazak Hamdallah and Al Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo, both with 17 goals apiece.
As the season progresses, Ronaldo’s contribution will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in Al Nassr’s quest for silverware. This hunger for success and undeniable talent means that the Portuguese legend remains a crucial cog in Al Nassr’s ambitions this season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Form
Al Qadsiah are the surprise package of the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League season. Aubameyang has contributed significantly to Al Qadsiah’s surge to 4th on the table with 51 points after 25 rounds of fixtures. Their points tally is level with 3rd placed Al Nassr and six points behind second-placed Al Hilal.
Al Qadsiah have scored 37 times in 25 matches. Out of these goals, 11 have been notched by Aubameyang, underscoring his importance to the team and impact on the Saudi Pro League.
Aubameyang’s importance is exemplified by his goal against Al Ittihad in the first week of March. With the tightly contested clash headed toward a barren draw, Aubameyang grabbed an opener in the first minute of extra time. Although Al Qadsiah conceded to a N’Golo Kante strike in the sixth minute of extra time, Aubameyang had made an indelible mark on this blockbuster match.
Tight Race for AFC Champions League Spots
The race for the top 3 in the Saudi Pro League is tight and close as the competition approaches the business end. Although Al Ittihad have pulled 4 points clear after the last month, the chasing pack are fighting it out for the remaining two spots that make it into the AFC Champions League.
Second-placed Al Hilal, the defending champions, have a six-point advantage over Al Nassr (3rd) and Al Qadsiah (4th). In terms of form, the three sides, alongside 5th-placed Al Ahli (48 points), are inconsistent with 9 matches remaining in the season.
| Team | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| Al Hilal | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Al Nassr | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Al Qadsiah | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Al Ahli | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Al Hilal have 3 wins and 2 losses from the last 5 matches, Al Nassr have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, Al Qadsiah have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, and Al Ahli have 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 defeat, over the same period.
The narrow three-point gap between 3rd and 5th place keeps the race for AFC Champions League spots tight into the business end, underscoring the excitement in the Saudi Pro League.
The Chances of an All-RSL AFC Champions League Final
There are three Saudi Pro League teams in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League. Current Saudi Pro League champions will take on South Korea’s Gwangju FC in a clash next month in the last eight. The prospect of Al Hilal, if they progress, of meeting their Saudi Arabian counterparts Al Ahli in the last four are high. Al Ahli will face Thailand’s Buriram United.
On the other side of the draw, Al Nassr were drawn in the last eight against Yokohama FC. Marinos, last year’s runners-up. Cristiano Ronaldo’s side, if they progress past Yokohama, will meet either Qatar’s Al Sadd or Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.
This fixture route means that the possibility of an All-Saudi Pro League final is possible in the AFC Champions League. The remaining matches will be single clashes as opposed to two-legged encounters, in a change to the traditional AFC Champions League format.
Therefore, this month has seen Saudi Pro League sides surge into the quarter-finals, with significant chances of all three making it into the semi-finals. This scenario will mean an all-RSL semi-final and keep maintaining the possibility of an all-RSL final.
