13 Best Players in Saudi Pro League As Neymar Junior Joins Al Hilal

Numerous star players have made the transition from European football to the Saudi Pro League during the summer transfer window, resulting in an astonishing display of talent heading to the Middle East.

Anticipations are high that even more prominent players will be making their way to the oil-rich nation in the near future and in the years ahead.

Consequently, the talent pool in the Saudi Arabian league will deepen, elevating the overall competitiveness of football in its top flight.

Lucrative transfer fees and substantial wage offers will continue to entice clubs and players alike, as they seek to secure financial stability for generations to come.

Sports Brief takes a look at the 13 best players now plying their trade in Saudi Arabia.

13. Kalidou Koulibaly

A mere year ago, Premier League enthusiasts eagerly anticipated the centre-back's debut in the English top flight following his move from Napoli to Chelsea. His stint in Italy had already solidified his standing as one of Europe's elite defenders, per GOAL.

The Senegalese star's tenure in London started brightly with a spectacular goal against Tottenham Hotspur, setting high expectations. However, things took a turn for the worse afterwards. Throughout the season, he only managed 23 appearances due to a combination of poor form and persistent injury, leading to his departure after just one year.

12. Allan Saint-Maximin

The Saudi Arabian league has acquired a genuine showman in the French player. Even though Saint-Maximin was undoubtedly Newcastle's standout player during their more challenging times, he seemed to have taken a backseat in Eddie Howe's plans.

In the Premier League, every full-back was well aware they were in for a tough day when faced with him, and this is unlikely to change in his new league.

11. Ruben Neves

Numerous elite European clubs were likely vying for the Portuguese midfielder as he bid farewell to his time at Wolves. As reported by Football Espana, Barcelona seemed to be leading the race to acquire him, but their financial constraints halted any possibility of a deal.

Neves held a pivotal role at the Molineux Stadium, assuming the club captaincy for his last season. Despite having been in the game for quite some time, he remains remarkably young and could potentially return to Europe during the peak of his career.

10. Fabinho

The transfer of the Brazilian has been officially announced, commanding a fee of £40 million despite his lacklustre performance in the previous season.

The midfielder played a vital role in Liverpool's recent triumphs, acting as an enforcer in the middle of the park and contributing to their Premier League and Champions League victories.

Towards the latter part of the season, his form saw an upturn, coinciding with an impressive unbeaten run for the Reds. Considering this, it might be surprising to some that Jurgen Klopp decided to permit the departure of this defensive midfielder during the summer transfer window.

9. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Lazio bids farewell to one of their key players this summer as midfielder, Milinkovic-Savic, departs after an impressive eight-year tenure.

The Serbian international leaves behind a notable legacy as the highest-scoring midfielder in the club's history, having netted an impressive 57 goals. He is poised to enter his prime in Saudi Arabia, where he will undoubtedly earn a handsome salary.

8. Roberto Firmino

Yet another Brazilian player makes the move from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia, with Firmino following the path of Fabinho. After an illustrious eight-year tenure with the English club, it was confirmed his contract would not be renewed, marking the end of his successful era.

Among various potential suitors from across the globe, he opted to sign with Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. Despite his limited appearances in his final season at Anfield, the skilful forward impressively scored 11 goals in just 25 matches.

7. Marcelo Brozovic

Fresh from a stellar season, the Croatian player played a crucial role in Inter Milan's impressive run, narrowly missing out on winning the UEFA Champions League.

Additionally, he was a key figure in his country's success, aiding them to secure a third-place finish in the 2022 FIFA World Cup alongside renowned players like Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic.

Brozovic possesses a unique blend of defensive solidity and exceptional ball control, making him a formidable challenge for opposing teams to handle.

6. Ngolo Kante

During the 2015/16 season, Kanté was arguably the most crucial player globally, given his pivotal role in Leicester City's improbable Premier League triumph.

The French midfielder's defensive prowess was relentless, and his skills with the ball at his feet often went unnoticed, eventually earning him a move to Chelsea.

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Notably, his arrival at Chelsea coincided with a transformation that led them to clinch a league victory of their own. Unfortunately, injuries have hindered his career progress in recent years, culminating in a disappointing end to his time in England.

5. Riyad Mahrez

Mahrez finds himself in an enviable position, having embarked on a lucrative venture in Saudi Arabia to secure substantial earnings. His move follows a remarkable achievement of winning a historic treble with Manchester City, culminating in their Champions League victory against Inter Milan with a 1-0 scoreline.

Despite the rotational system under Pep Guardiola, the Algerian impressively managed to contribute to a goal every two games last season, highlighting his proficiency on the field. With his exceptional dribbling skills, the new league he joins is in for a real spectacle as Mahrez continues to be one of the finest dribblers in the game.

4. Sadio Mane

Mane's move to Al-Nassr was officially confirmed following a less successful stint at Bayern Munich, joining the ranks of former Liverpool players heading to the emerging league.

Although he was part of the Bundesliga-winning team, he couldn't quite replicate the scintillating form that Premier League fans had grown accustomed to during his time at the Reds and Southampton.

Nonetheless, Mané will forever be remembered as a legend at Anfield, where he showcased his brilliance and stood among the finest players in the world at his peak.

3. Neymar Junior

Neymar Junior has joined Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial £77.6million. The Brazilian is set to pick up a record salary worth up to £314million over two years.

The 31-year-old made it clear to PSG chiefs earlier this month that he wanted to leave Parc des Princes.

2. Karim Benzema

The footballing realm was left astonished when it was revealed that reigning Ballon d'Or winner, Benzema, would be making a move to Al-Ittihad, marking the end of a decade filled with numerous trophies at Real Madrid.

Having scored an impressive 354 goals for the Spanish giants, the Frenchman established himself as one of the finest strikers globally.

His last season at the Santiago Bernabeu turned out to be somewhat underwhelming and also served as the final chapter for one-third of the famed Bale, Benzema, and Ronaldo frontline.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

The only player who could have challenged for the top position on this list was Lionel Messi, had he not opted for a move to the MLS.

Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, regardless of his current stint in the Saudi Pro League.

His remarkable career goal tally of 838 speaks volumes for the Portuguese icon, who made the move to the new league slightly ahead of the other European players.

Al-Hilal announce Neymar signing

Sports Brief earlier reported that Al-Hilal has announced the signing of Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar Junior via a captivating video.

Concluding a six-season tenure with the French club, Neymar now embarks on a new chapter as a player for the Riyadh-based giants.