November Saudi Pro League Recap: Ronaldo Reaches 100-Goal Milestone as Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Taawoun Battle for Top Spot
November in the Saudi Pro League saw a ratcheting up of the action as sides at the top-end jostled for points in the title race with the bottom-end of the table also reshaped throughout the month.
Al Hilal’s October form earned Simone Inzaghi and Yassine Bono monthly honors, Al Ahli edged the Sea Derby in Jeddah, Cristiano Ronaldo reached 100 goal involvements in the Roshn Saudi League, and Al Taawoun’s surge has kept them in title contention throughout November.
Al Hilal and Bono Rewarded for Their Form in October
November saw the recognition of Al Hilal’s brilliant form in October moving into the new month. Simone Inzaghi’s side had a perfect record in October, with three wins, nine points, and no goals conceded.
With this record, the gaffer Simone Inzaghi was awarded Manager of the Month and Yassine Bono was named Goalkeeper of the Month after a dominant stretch that included wins over Al Ettifaq, Al Ittihad, and Al Shabab.
Al Ahli Prevail in the Sea Derby
The Jeddah showdown was a major hallmark of November in the Saudi Pro League. The clash produced a tight and decisive moment, as Al Ahli held on to a 1-0 victory at Alinma Stadium.
Franck Kessie’s work and Riyad Mahrez’s finishing touch were singled out in the post-match reaction as Jeddah was painted green for the visitors.
Al Ahli sit fourth on the Saudi Pro League table with 19 points, eight points adrift of the leaders Al Nassr, and five points ahead of their Jeddah rivals, Al Ittihad, who sit 9th on the log.
Cristiano Ronaldo Hits Centurion Status in the Saudi Pro League in Goal Involvement
A century of RSL goal involvements captures Cristiano Ronaldo’s sustained impact in the league and his continued importance to Al Nassr as they pursue their first Saudi Pro League title in six years.
Ronaldo converted from the spot just after the hour mark in the clash against NEOM SC, which doubled Al Nassr’s advantage against the promoted side. The two-time golden boot winner’s record reads 83 goals and 17 assists, a remarkable feat in 85 RSL appearances.
This achievement also edges him closer to the 1,000 mark; he is on 953 professional career goals in November of the 2025/26 season. He is undoubtedly an RSL legend even as he leads Al Nassr’s pursuit of the Saudi domestic title.
Al Taawoun’s Impressive Start Continues into November
Al Taawoun have been the surprise package of the opening months of the Saudi Pro League. They have strung together a run that has them sitting near the summit.
The Buraidah side’s seven-match winning streak has made them genuine challengers at the top against the more established big clubs as the calendar moves through November.
In the last week of November, in the 2025/26 season, Al Taawoun sit third on the Saudi Pro League table after nine rounds of fixtures. They have amassed 7 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, collecting 22 points out of a possible 27. They trail second-placed Al Hilal by a point and a further five behind perfect leaders Al Nassr.
The Indefatigable N’Golo Kanté Stars for Al Ittihad and France
N’Golo Kanté continues to be a stalwart for both Al Ittihad and France, underscoring his quality as one of the best midfielders in the Saudi Pro League and the world.
The former Premier League champion with both Leicester and Chelsea has produced influential displays for Al Ittihad and France in the month of November that have reminded the football world of his relentless engine and match-winning interventions.
Kanté’s continued success at the highest level demonstrates not only his quality but the increasingly competitive nature of the Saudi Pro League. His continued call-ups to the French national team that boasts some of the best talents in the world is a boon to the Saudi Pro League and its emergence as one of the bonafide competitive championships in the world.
Bono Named CAF Goalkeeper of the Year
Yassine Bono is having an excellent season with Al Hilal and Morocco. This reality was recognized when he was named CAF Goalkeeper of the Year, an honor he accepted with gratitude to Al Hilal and his national side, Morocco.
Bono played 49 matches with Al Hilal, keeping 16 clean sheets alongside his teammates. He also shone at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, earning the man of the match award in Al Hilal’s match against Austria’s Salzburg, and helped his side reach the quarterfinals of the tournament. Bono also played a starring role in helping Morocco qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The RSL’s First Ever Ar Rass Derby Won by Al Hazem
History was made in Ar Rass as Al Hazem claimed the RSL’s inaugural local derby victory.
The game was settled by Omar Al Somah from the spot. His cool penalty and veteran presence delivered a landmark result for the visitor, and a memorable night for the town.
The backdrop to this derby is that Al Kholood are having their second season in the top flight after a brilliant 2024/25 campaign in which they finished ninth. In the meantime, Al Hazem worked their way back into the RSL from Saudi’s second tier.
This inaugural Ar Rass derby was decided by one of the RSL’s most storied players, Omar Al Somah, the all-time leading scorer in the league with this being his 156th goal in the Saudi top flight, which will live long in his memory and the memory of all those connected to Al Hazem.
Al Hilal are Hunting Perfect Leaders Al Nassr
Throughout November, Al Hilal have shown a steely resolve and collective mentality, which have formed the foundation of their pursuit of leaders Al Nassr.
Inside the dressing room, players speak of a renewed hunger and a refusal to accept anything less than full effort in every match. The coaching staff have emphasized consistency, tactical discipline, and a willingness to grind out results.
The result of this shift in Simone Inzaghi’s side has been a perfect November so far; they have won their last five matches as they have kept pressure on leaders Al Nassr. They sit four points behind the leaders after nine rounds of fixtures, ready to pounce if Jorge Jesus’s side falters.
Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo Leading Al Nassr from the Front in Hunt for Saudi Pro League
Cristiano Ronaldo is the newly minted Centurion in the Saudi Pro League with more than 100 goal involvements. At the same time, Joao Felix, Ronaldo’s strike partner at Al Nassr climbed to 11 goals to head the race for the SPL’s golden boot.
The two players have led Al Nassr in the month of November to retain their perfect start to the league season, winning nine out of nine matches. They also lead the goalscoring charts with 30 plundered in 9 matches while conceding five, giving them the best attack and defence in the Saudi Pro League as of November of the 2025/26 season.
November saw the Saudi Pro League kick into gear. While Al Nassr and Al Hilal lead the way at the top, surprise packages like Al Taawoun and established sides like Al Ahli and Al Ittihad are all vying to return into contention. The result is one of the most dynamic, competitive, and unpredictable campaigns yet!
