Saudi Pro League Monthly Recap: April 2026
Al Ahli became the first Saudi club in 21 years to retain the AFC Champions League Elite crown, defeating Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia 1-0 after extra time in Jeddah on 25 April 2026. Their continental triumph, powered by Riyad Mahrez’s brilliance and Feras Al-Brikan’s decisive strike, set the month’s headline.
While Al Ahli celebrated abroad, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr tightened their grip on the domestic title race, opening an eight-point lead in the Saudi Pro League. Add Kingdom Holding’s landmark acquisition of Al Hilal, and April delivered a month of continental glory, domestic drama, and financial transformation that will shape the run-in to May.
Al Ahli Retain AFC Champions League Elite Crown in Jeddah
Al Ahli wrote themselves into Asian football history with a dramatic 1-0 victory over FC Machida Zelvia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on 25 April 2026. Feras Al-Brikan struck six minutes into extra time, finishing from close range after Riyad Mahrez’s cross was cushioned by Franck Kessié at the far post.
The win made Al Ahli the first Saudi club since Al Ittihad in 2004 and 2005 to retain the continental crown, and the first side in the modern AFC Champions League Elite era to achieve back-to-back titles under manager Matthias Jaissle.
The triumph stood out further given Al Ahli played with ten men from the 68th minute, after Zakaria Al-Hawsawi was sent off for a headbutt on Tete Yengi. Édouard Mendy, the SPL’s second-ranked goalkeeper with 12 clean sheets, produced decisive saves to keep the tie alive until Al-Brikan’s breakthrough.
Mahrez again proved instrumental, underlining his status as Al Ahli’s talisman in continental competition.
Post-match, Mahrez captured the spirit of the night: “It’s amazing. It was difficult for us again. We like to make it difficult for ourselves. Ten against 11 is nearly impossible. I don’t know how we found the strength and the energy. After the red card, we stuck together, we fought more, we ran more until we scored”. His words summed up a performance built on resilience, unity, and belief.
For Al Ahli, the achievement is more than silverware. It collides directly with their domestic ambitions, where they remain in the hunt behind Al Nassr and Al Hilal. April’s continental crown ensures that the SPL’s title race is not only about points, but about prestige and momentum.
Al Nassr Storm Eight Points Clear With Title in Sight
Al Nassr’s 2-0 victory over Al Ahli at Al-Awwal Park on 29 April 2026 marked the decisive moment of the season. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo (76th minute) and Kingsley Coman (90th minute) delivered a statement win that extended their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League to eight points after Matchweek 29.
With Al Hilal still holding a game in hand, the result nonetheless placed Al Nassr firmly in control of the title race, leaving them within touching distance of their first league crown since 2018-19.
The triumph capped a remarkable run of 16 consecutive league victories since 17 January 2026, a club record that has transformed the campaign. Ronaldo’s strike not only pushed Al Nassr closer to silverware but also brought him nearer to the club’s all-time scoring record, underlining his enduring influence.
Manager Jorge Jesus’s mantra of “six finals” resonated in the performance, as his side treated the clash with Al Ahli as the ultimate test of their resilience and ambition.
For Al Nassr supporters, the win was more than three points. It was the night their team placed one hand on the trophy, combining Ronaldo’s leadership, João Félix’s flair, and Kingsley Coman’s consistency into a force that looked unstoppable. April was the month Al Nassr seized destiny; May will decide whether they finally lift the title that has eluded them for seven years.
Standings: Al Nassr Lead, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli Hunt
The Saudi Pro League table at the end of April 2026 underlines Al Nassr’s dominance. Their 2-0 victory over Al Ahli extended their lead to eight points, leaving them favourites to secure their first league crown since 2018-19. Al Hilal, unbeaten but held back by eight draws, remain in pursuit with a game in hand. Al Ahli, despite continental glory, sit third and now face an uphill battle domestically.
Al Qadsiah’s early-April slump ended their title hopes, though they remain in contention for AFC Champions League Elite qualification. At the other end of the table, Al Najma, Al Okhdood, and Al Riyadh occupy the relegation zone.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Nassr | 30 | 26 | 1 | 3 | 60 | 79 |
| 2 | Al Hilal | 29 | 21 | 8 | 0 | 51 | 71 |
| 3 | Al Ahli | 29 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 33 | 66 |
| 4 | Al Qadsiah | 30 | 19 | 8 | 3 | 40 | 65 |
| 5 | Al Taawoun | 30 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 49 |
| 6 | Al Ittihad | 29 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 48 |
Kingdom Holding Buy 70% of Al Hilal in SAR 1.4bn Deal
Off the pitch, April delivered one of the most significant financial developments in Saudi football since the 2023 privatisation of the Big Four. On 16 April 2026, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) signed a binding agreement for KHC to acquire a 70% stake in Al-Hilal Club Company.
The deal, valued at SAR 1.4 billion (approximately $373 million), places Al Hilal among the most valuable clubs in Asia and sets a benchmark for future ownership transitions across the Saudi Pro League.
The reported price for the majority stake is SAR 840 million (around $224 million), with PIF retaining a minority share. KHC, chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, has long been a prominent investor in Saudi and global markets, and his move into football ownership signals a deepening of the privatisation thesis. Prince Alwaleed previously covered the full value of Karim Benzema’s transfer from Al Ittihad in January, underscoring his willingness to invest heavily in marquee talent.
In a statement accompanying the deal, Prince Alwaleed described Al Hilal as “a national symbol and a source of pride for the Saudi people. This acquisition expresses our deep belief in the power of sports as a unifying force and a catalyst for national development”. His words frame the transaction not only as a business move but as a cultural and national milestone.
For the SPL, the acquisition represents the first major ownership transition since the PIF-led restructuring of 2023. It sets a precedent for valuations, governance, and the role of private capital in shaping the league’s future. As Al Hilal continue their pursuit of domestic and continental honours, the club now enters a new era under Kingdom Holding’s stewardship.
Toney, Ronaldo, and Quiñones Battle for the Golden Boot
The individual race for the Golden Boot has become one of the defining narratives of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season. As of 30 April 2026, Al Qadsiah’s Julián Quiñones surged to the top of the scoring charts, reaching 28 goals, a tally that places him ahead of Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney (27 goals) and Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo (25 goals).
Quiñones’s prolific form has been central to Al Qadsiah’s push for continental qualification, while Toney’s consistency has kept Al Ahli competitive despite their fading domestic title hopes.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, remains within striking distance, and his goals have been pivotal in Al Nassr’s record-breaking winning streak and their march toward the league crown.
Roger Martínez of Al Taawoun has chipped in with 20 goals. Karim Benzema (Al Hilal), with 16 goals, rounds out a competitive top five.
| Pos | Player | Club | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julián Quiñones | Al Qadsiah | 28 | 2 |
| 2 | Ivan Toney | Al Ahli | 27 | 6 |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Al Nassr | 25 | 2 |
| 4 | Roger Martínez | Al Taawoun | 20 | 2 |
| 5 | Karim Benzema | Al Hilal | 16 | 2 |
Al Ahli’s Officiating Storm Adds Edge to the Run-In
April was not only about trophies and points — it was also about perception. Al Ahli found themselves at the centre of an officiating storm after a late handball appeal was waved away in their draw with Al Fayha. The incident, which many supporters felt cost them crucial ground in the title race, sparked a wave of frustration that spilled onto social media and into the dressing room.
Galeno, one of Al Ahli’s key forwards, stated cryptically that “they want to hand the trophy to one person”, widely interpreted as a reference to Cristiano Ronaldo. The remark added fuel to claims of bias, while players reported being told by a match official to “focus on the AFC”, a comment that cut deep given their simultaneous pursuit of domestic and continental glory.
The tension carried into their AFC Champions League triumph, where defender Merih Demiral celebrated with a mock newspaper headlined “We focused on AFC”, a pointed jab at critics who had questioned their priorities. The gesture underscored how the officiating narrative had become part of Al Ahli’s identity in April, embattled, defiant, and determined to prove themselves on both fronts.
For the wider league, the subplot raised the temperature of the 29 April clash with Al Nassr, adding narrative weight beyond the bare result. It reminded fans that the Saudi Pro League is not only a contest of skill and form, but also of perception, politics, and pride.
Looking Ahead: May 2026
In the run-in, Al Nassr face Al Qadsiah away and then Al Hilal in the Capital Derby (brought forward to Matchweek 33) inside a nine-day stretch that could decide the championship.
In the AFC Champions League Two Final, Al Nassr will clash with Gamba Osaka (Japan) on May 16 2026, at King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh. This will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s first chance at continental silverware since 2018.
May will also see the King’s Cup Final between Al Hilal and Al Kholood and the Saudi Pro League finale. SPL Matchweek 34 plays out on 12 May, with rescheduled fixtures wrapping up by 17 May 2026.
FAQs
Who won the AFC Champions League Elite final in 2026?
Al Ahli retained the AFC Champions League Elite crown, defeating Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia 1-0 after extra time on 25 April 2026 in Jeddah. Feras Al-Brikan scored the decisive goal, making Al Ahli the first Saudi club to win back-to-back continental titles since Al Ittihad in 2004 and 2005.
Who is the Saudi Pro League top scorer in 2025-26?
Julián Quiñones. As of 30 April 2026, Julián Quiñones of Al Qadsiah leads the scoring charts with 28 goals. Ivan Toney (27) and Cristiano Ronaldo (25) are close behind.
Who is the new owner of Al Hilal?
Kingdom Holding Company. On 16 April 2026, Kingdom Holding Company, chaired by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, signed a binding agreement to acquire 70% of Al-Hilal Club Company from the Public Investment Fund. The deal values Al Hilal at SAR 1.4 billion, with PIF retaining a minority stake.
