Saudi Pro League Heats Up: Al Nassr Shine, Ronaldo Breaks Records, and Saudi Arabia Qualify
October saw Saudi Pro League action step up, albeit interrupted by an international break. The sides leading the charge for the Saudi Pro League title and their marquee players shone bright throughout the month. Here are the stories making headlines in October 2025 in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Nassr Duo Jesus and Felix Crowned in September Awards
The turn of October saw Al Nassr rewarded for their 100% record in the Saudi Pro League in September. The focus was especially on the Al Nassr duo of manager Jorge Jesus and new signing and in-form Joao Felix.
Saudi Pro League winner (with Al Hilal) Jorge Jessus was named Manager of the Month for guiding his new side to four successive victories, catapulting them to the top of the table ahead of the early October international break. The pick of the bunch in this run was the 0-2 win at champions Al Ittihad in matchweek 4. Under Jesus, Al Nassr have scored the most goals with 19 after 5 rounds of fixtures, underlying their dominance.
The second nod to the Riyadh-based side is the awarding of Joao Felix the prize of Player of the Month. Felix, Jesus’ compatriot, has started life at Al Nassr superbly, scoring a hat-trick on his debut and chipping in with two more goals in September.
The two awards underscore the brilliant form Al Nassr are in as they bid to press home their advantage and lead the pursuit of the Saudi Pro League crown in the 2025/26 season.
I Came To Build Glory With Ittihad: Conceicao Takes Charge Of RSL Champions
Sergio Conceicao was named the new manager at defending champions Al Ittihad on 9th October 2025. This announcement marked the end of Laurent Blanc, the title-winning manager for Al Ittihad and the start of a new era for the Jeddah club.
Conceicao immediately ingratiated himself with the Al Ittihad faithful by arguing that winning is not a choice for the side; instead, it is an identity that defines the club. The former AC Milan gaffer took over an Al Ittihad side third in the 2025/26 season, with three wins from their opening four matches. Their only defeat this season came at home to Al Nassr, which marked the end of Blanc’s 14-month tenure.
Sergio Conceicao made his debut on the dugout at home to Shabab Al Ahli in the AFC Champions League, winning 0-1; he then managed his side to a 1-1 draw away to Al Feiha, before triumphing 1-4 away to Al Shorta in the AFC Champions League. The Portuguese’s mettle will be tested in the Saudi Pro League when he welcomes Al Hilal on Friday for matchday six.
Steady Start but Much More to Come: Inzaghi’s Al Hilal
Replacing Jorge Jesus at Al Hilal was always going to be a daunting task. The Saudi Pro League giants’ hot seat attracts intense scrutiny and expectation as the club demands perfection. Jesus’s big shows include winning the 2023/24 league title without losing a game and departing with a win percentage of 77%.
Simone Inzaghi has attempted to carry on the illustrious legacy of his predecessor at Al Hilal as the Italian tactician was charged with the responsibility of leading the side to even greater heights domestically and in the AFC Champions League.
Al Hilal remained unbeaten in October, and have won three and drawn twice in their opening five outings in the Saudi Pro League. However, it has not been smooth sailing for the former Inter Milan gaffer. He has sought to balance impressive attacking potential with worrying lapses that produced dropped points in October.
The assessment of Inzaghi throughout October is pragmatic: foundations are present, star performers are adapting, and once fitness stabilises, his tactical acumen should push the side back into title contention.
Saudi Arabia Reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Saudi Arabia’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup marked a historic milestone celebrated across the kingdom. The Green Falcons needed only a draw in their Group B decider against Iraq at a fired-up Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, and the game finished 0-0, meaning Saudi Arabia finished top of the pool in this Fourth Round of Asian qualifiers, thus getting a place in a third successive FIFA World Cup.
The success also reflected years of development and recent investment in coaching, player pathways, and competitive experience. It is also a boon to the Saudi Pro League, which provides the underlying foundation for the upward dynamism of the Saudi Arabia national side.
The Green Falcon’s qualifying campaign combined defensive resilience, creative attacking phases, and clinical set-piece execution, with domestic-based players stepping up in pivotal moments.
Qualification has boosted national pride and set expectations for further growth on the world stage, creating a platform to test tactical versatility against global powers next summer.
The achievement underscores the collective progress of the national program and the growth of players exposed to higher-level club competition in the Saudi Pro League and beyond.
Ronaldo Nets Another Record: RSL Celebrates Multiple World Cup Success
Another month, it seems, another Cristiano Ronaldo record.
The Al Nassr talisman and captain, already topping the scoring logs in men’s interim national football history, netted a double in Portugal’s 2-2 draw with Hungary in qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The double means Ronaldo has scored 41 goals in World Cup qualifying, ahead of record holder Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz with 39.
Back at Al Nassr in October, Ronaldo saw his penalty saved and then scored a cracking goal a minute later to put the hosts back into the lead against Al Fateh. His side triumphed 5-1, which represented a perfect five-star return to Saudi Pro League action for leaders Al Nassr following the international break.
October showed an indefatigable Cristiano Ronaldo continuing with his brilliant performances. Al Nassr will look to him for inspiration and quality performances as they bid to sustain a title charge.
Saudia Named Official Airline Partner of RSL
In October, the Saudi Pro League signed a sponsorship agreement with Saudia, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to become the Official Sponsor of the Saudi Pro League.
The league’s new partnership with the national carrier marks a strategic alignment between football growth and national infrastructure, promising tailored travel packages that enhance attendance and fan experiences.
The deal aims to facilitate domestic and international travel to matches, support sports tourism initiatives, and elevate brand synergies aligned with long-term Vision 2030 ambitions.
Beyond commercial benefits, the collaboration signals the RSL’s maturation into a global product attractive to major national partners. The collaboration offers logistical support that can ease the demands of continental competition and broaden the league’s commercial footprint while improving accessibility for travelling supporters.
These highlights reveal the heating up of the Saudi Pro League. The fight is on for the top of the table. New signings are increasingly making their presence known, adding an extra profile to the Saudi Pro League’s appeal domestically and internationally. This sets the stage for an exciting November as league action continues unabated.
