The Interesting Nicknames of Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, Ittihad and 16 Other Clubs in the Saudi League

The Interesting Nicknames of Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, Ittihad and 16 Other Clubs in the Saudi League

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at December 28, 2023 at 6:59 PM
In this article:
Cristiano Ronaldo logo
C. Ronaldo
Al Nassr FC logoFPortugal logo
Sadio Mané logo
S. Mané
Al Nassr FC logoFSenegal logo
Saudi Professional League logo
KSA Professional League
Saudi Arabia
Al-Hilal Saudi FC logo
Al-Hilal Saudi FC
Saudi Arabia
30
Al Nassr FC logo
Al Nassr
Saudi Arabia
33
Karim Benzema logo
K.Benzema
Al-Ittihad Club logoFFrance logo
Al-Ittihad Club logo
Al-Ittihad Club
Saudi Arabia
30
  • The Saudi Pro League boasts 18 teams, each with a rich heritage and dedicated fanbase
  • Just like football clubs dotted across the globe, teams in Saudi have similar monikers
  • Here is a look at the nicknames of sides in the 2023–2024 Saudi top-flight

Established in 1976, the Saudi Professional League (SPL) operates from August to May, employing a double round-robin format where clubs play each other twice, earning three points for a win and one for a draw.

Despite being primarily a local competition, the SPL holds global influence, boasting A-list football icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, and Riyad Mahrez.

Nicknames, Saudi Pro League, clubs, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Cristiano Ronaldo
Clubs in the Saudi Pro League, including Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, possess fascinating nicknames. Photos by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images and @SPL_EN/Twitter
Source: Getty Images

Aside from being a new haven for the sport's big-name players, the Saudi top flight also serves as a launchpad for Saudi talents eyeing European football stardom.

Saudi League's global appeal

With substantial investments and high-profile transfers, the league has attracted renowned foreign players, propelling Saudi football onto the world stage, per Sporting News.

The SPL's increasing popularity has drawn attention due to its ambition and ample resources, captivating fans worldwide.

This expansion has piqued the interest of supporters seeking teams to rally behind, allured by the league's appeal.

How the SPL works?

Regarding the SPL's structure, the top four teams secure prized spots in the prestigious AFC Champions League, a platform showcasing the best in Asian football.

Conversely, the league's bottom two clubs face the looming threat of relegation to the Saudi First Division League, per Sportrankers.

Nicknames of Saudi clubs

Much like clubs worldwide, those in the Gulf region boast unique nicknames that resonate with both their fans and rival supporters.

Rooted in historical narratives, these monikers often reflect aspects such as the club's location, cultural values, and ambitions.

Sports Brief explores the fascinating nicknames held by Saudi football's 18 premier division clubs.

No.

Clubs

Nicknames

1

Al Hilal

Blue Waves, The Boss

2

Al Nassr

Knights of Najd, Al-Alami

3

Al Ahli

The Royals, Al-Raqi (The Classy Ones)

4

Al Taawoun

The Wolves, Sukri Al-Qasim

5

Damac

The Knight of the South

6

Al Ittihad

The Tigers, Nadi Al-Sha'ab

7

Al Fateh

Sons of the Palm, Al Namothji

8

Al Ettifaq

The Commandos, Faris Ad-Dahna

9

Al Wehda

Knights of Mecca

10

Al Khaleej

Al-Danah

11

Al Fayha

The Orange, Tawahin Sudair

12

Al Okhdood

Ditch

13

Al Shabab

Al Leith (White Lion)

14

Al Riyadh

N/A

15

Al Taee

Knight of the North

16

Al Raed

Raed Al Tahadi

17

Abha

The Leaders of the South

18

Al Hazem

Hazem Al-Samood

Exciting news! We have a WhatsApp channel 🤩

➡️ Click to join our channel for all your favourite sports news.

Ronaldo: The face of Saudi Arabian Sports

Sports Brief also reported that Cristiano Ronaldo is increasingly emerging as a prominent figure in the Saudi Arabian sports scene, playing a pivotal role in promoting the country’s Esports World Cup.

The Al Nassr talisman participated in the launch event alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, engaging in a panel discussion with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman.

Ronaldo’s influence extends beyond eSports, as he has also been featured in promotions for various sports events, including the highly publicised exhibition fight between English boxer Tyson Fury and former UFC Champion Francis Ngannou since his arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.