Ronaldo is the biggest name football has produced in its entire history. The Portuguese has accomplished what most teams don’t collectively as his hard work, heart, and determination have been on display for the world to see over the past 17 years.
The charismatic number 7 is currently football’s highest ever goal scorer with an incredible tally of 819 goals in 1,144 games breaking the record held by Josef Biscan who had been the highest scorer in football for over 60 years until Ronaldo surpassed him.
The great Josef Biscan produced remarkable numbers, Scoring 395 in 217 games for Slavia Prague.
It is widely rumored that he scored up to 1,500 goals in total during his playing days, but only 805 of those were recognized by FIFA.
The Saudi League has a host of teams that could foil Ronaldo and Al-Nassr’s plans, so here are 4 clubs that will rival Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. And also the club he joins Al Nassr.
AL-Nassr
Al Nassr has consistently been at the top of Saudi Arabian football for close to a decade. They have finished in the top 3 5 times in the last 6 seasons and are on course to accomplish that feat again as they sit 1st in the Saudi Arabian league.
They possess a roster of stars who have dominated the league and have made further investments in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Who are Ronaldo’s Teammates in Al Nassr?
They have stars such as David Ospina who previously plied his trade at Napoli and Arsenal.
Talisca who was a key part of Besiktas and Benfica and has been in tremendous form this season and tops the goal scoring charts with 9 goals in 9 games. The 29 year old Brazillian has been excellent and even ended the 2021-2022 season as second highest goal scorer with 20 goals in 28 games.
Vincent Aboubakar the Cameroonian dangerman who has previously been a part of Besiktas and Porto and is coming off an impressive World Cup campaign. The 32 year old Spaniard Alvaro Gonzalez who was part of Marseille and Villareal teams and Luis Gustavo, a 35 year old legend who has plied his trade in many great soccer institutions.
From Bayern Munich and Fernabache to Corinthians and Marseille. He also represented Wolfsburg in his long tenured career.
Al Nassr are 9 time Saudi Arabian Champions and 6 times Saudi cup winners. They are one of the biggest clubs in the Saudi Arabian League.
Al Taawoun
Are relatively new to the top of Saudi football but have made major strides in recent years to establish themselves.
Proof of the recency of their success is that their only major trophy win is a Saudi Cup they won in the 2018/2019 season.
They have recruited wisely and now possess a team that can provide a challenge even to the giants of the league.
Al-Taawoun is a professional football club based in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. Al-Taawoun was founded in 1976, The club has a strong following and is known for its competitive and entertaining style of play.
In their ranks are players of high caliber with generals like Naldo who recently represented the likes of Sporting CP, Gremio, Espanyol, and Krasnodar among many other reputable clubs.
28 Year old Spanish talent Alvaro Medran is part of their roster. The midfielder has been part of both Real Madrid and Valencia.
Flavio Medeiros one of the most exciting midfielders you will ever watch who has previously represented Transbonzpor. The 26 year old brazillian has spent most of his career showing his talent out of the big 5 European leagues. His passing, trickery and workrate have made him an attractive weapon for any team.
The real danger comes from 33 year old Cameroonian journeyman Leandre Tawamba. The striker has plied his trade in over 5 countries, South Africa, Slovakia, Serbia, Kazakhstan, and now Saudi Arabia.
He has proven to be dangerous as he finished last season the fourth highest goal scorer in the Saudi league with 18 goals in 30 appearances.
They currently sit fourth in the table and just three points from the top.
AL-Ittihad
Al-Ittihad FC is a professional football club based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The club was founded in 1927 and has won a total of 8 Saudi Arabian League titles, 5 King Cups, and 2 Crown Prince Cups.
The team has a strong fan base and is known for its passionate support. Al-Ittihad has also had success in international competitions, winning the AFC Champions League twice in 2004 and 2005. The club currently plays in the Saudi Professional League and is managed by Nuno Espírito Santo, the former Tottenham and Wolverhampton manager.
Boasting the likes of Helder costa who has been part of the Big 5 European leagues playing in England, France, Portugal, and Spain. He has played for clubs like Wolves, Leeds, Valencia, Monaco, and Benfica.
Ahmed Hegazi is also part of this team. The former West Brom and Fiorentina man brings experience and defensive steel to this team and the Egyptian has been instrumental in their performances.
Another weapon in their arsenal is 32 year old Brazillian hitman Romarinho. He has been a source of goals for Al-Ittihad as he finished the 2021-2022 season the third highest goal scorer in the Saudi Arabian league scoring 20 goals in 29 appearances.
Their Current main threat comes in the form of 32 year old Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdallah. He is currently the 2nd highest goal scorer this season in the Saudi football league, scoring 7 goals in 8 games. He will definitely surpass last season tally of 12 goals in 13 games.
Al-Ittihad currently sits 3rd in the table, 2 points from the top position with a game in hand. They lost out on first position last season by 2 points.
Al Shabab
Al Shabaab FC is a professional football club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The team was founded in 1957 and has since become one of the most successful and popular clubs in the country.
Al Shabaab has won numerous national championships and has represented Saudi Arabia in international competitions such as the Asian Champions League.
They boast a star studded lineup made up of recognisable names in the football world.
Gregorz Krychowiak is a 32 year old polish defensive midfielder who has achieved multiple prestigious trophies. He won the Europa League twice with Sevilla, The French league cup and super cup with Paris Saint Germain, and the Russian cup and super cup with Lomkomotiv Moscow.
Santi Mina was a wonderkid the world saw as someone who would be on top of the footballing world when he played for Valencia. The Spanaird is now part of this talented team.
Ever Banega who is as experienced as any active player has played for the likes of Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla. He is an Olympic medallist, 3 time Europa League winner, Spanish cup winner and he won the copa Libertadores.
He brings his insane amount of experience to this team.
They currently sit second on the table, one point from the top and a game in hand, if things unfold Favourably, they might win their first league title in over ten years.
Al Hilal
Al Hilal Football Club is a professional football club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1957 and is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, having won a record 14 league titles and a record 7 Crown Prince Cups.
They have been extremely dominant and by far the biggest threat in the Saudi League. In the past 6 seasons they have finished top of the league 5 times.
They have the likes of Odion Ighalo who has been in phenomenal form in recent years as this season he currently is fourth in the goal scoring charts and has scored 7 goals in 11 games .
He finished last season as top scorer with an astonishing 24 goals in 13 games.
Andre Carillo is also part of their talented roster. The 31 year old is a former Benfica and Sporting CP forward.
They also have the likes of Luciano Vietto. The 29 year old argentine forward who has played in the best leagues in the world, representing the likes of Atletico Madrid, Fulham, Racing club, Villareal, Valencia, Sevilla, Sporting CP.
They are currently fifth in the league but still just 4 points from the top.
