Saudi League dreams: Ronaldo's 1000-goal hunt and Benzema's final farewell
As the new Saudi Roshn League season kicks off, stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema face defining campaigns, chasing history and final career honors.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Author: Mehdi Marizad
In the new Saudi Roshn League campaign, all eyes are on Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Entering what may be the final season of his illustrious career, the Portuguese star has set his sights on a historic individual milestone: the 1,000-goal mark. Currently at 976 goals, Ronaldo needs just 24 more to become the first player to reach four figures in football history.
For his former teammate Karim Benzema, this season carries equal weight. After his controversial mid-season move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, the French striker is determined to secure the league title. Benzema hopes this triumph will serve as the perfect swan song to his career, though he must first overcome the injury issues that plagued his second half of last season to prove his value to the Al-Hilal faithful.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari is fighting to keep his career alive. Following a difficult term under Simone Inzaghi, Al-Dawsari faces stiff competition from new arrival Crysencio Summerville. He knows this season is likely his last chance to convince management that he can continue at the top level.
Other players are also chasing personal glory. Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney is on the hunt for his first-ever Golden Boot in a major league after narrowly missing out in previous campaigns. Additionally, Youssef En-Nesyri, now at Al-Ittihad, faces the pressure of replacing Benzema, aiming to silence his critics and deliver his finest form for the club.