With the curtain falling on the first half of the Saudi Professional League, Al-Hilal has firmly established its lead, deservedly claiming the title of "Winter Champions" after finishing the first half undefeated, reaffirming its determination to reclaim the title. While Al-Hilal soars to the top, its traditional rival, Al-Nassr, led by its global star Cristiano Ronaldo, continues its relentless pursuit in second place, followed by Al-Ahli, which has made a strong comeback to the top flight in third. This sets the stage for an even fiercer and more exciting second half of the competition.

Background to the fierce competition in the Saudi League

The Saudi Professional League (SPL) is witnessing an unprecedented historical boom this season, thanks to the massive investments injected by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which have attracted a constellation of the world's brightest football stars. This transformation has not only raised the technical level of the league but has also placed it in the global spotlight, making it one of the most-watched leagues in the region and the world. The current rivalry between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr is not merely a competition for points; it is an extension of a historic rivalry between two giants, now taking on a global dimension with the presence of world-class players on both teams, thus adding extra significance to every round.

Details and figures of the seventeenth round

The seventeenth round was a stage for exciting events that reflected the fierce competition across all positions in the table. The round witnessed nine matches, five of which ended in decisive victories, while four ended in draws (two with goals and two goalless). The high scoring rate of 31 goals, averaging 3.44 goals per match, was noteworthy, demonstrating the attacking approach adopted by most teams. In terms of discipline, referees issued 36 yellow cards and one red card, and awarded two penalties, one of which was converted and the other missed.

The battle for the top scorer title

The race for the league's top scorer title is just as exciting as the title race itself. Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the Al-Nassr striker, continues to lead the pack with 16 goals, delivering exceptional performances. Closely following him is Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Al-Hilal star, who has proven to be a top-class signing, scoring 15 goals so far. This duel between two global superstars adds extra excitement to the league and captivates millions of football fans worldwide.

Round 17 statistics:

• Number of matches: 9
• Victories: 5
• Positive draws: 2
• 2 goalless draws
• Total goals: 31 goals
• Goals per game average: 3.44
• Penalty kicks: 2
• Yellow cards: 36
• Red cards: 1

General statistics from the league so far:

• Total matches: 144
• Total goals: 448
• Goals per game average: 3.11
• Total red cards: 50
• Total yellow cards: 556
• Total penalties: 61

In a surprising move aimed at salvaging their disastrous season, the board of directors of Al-Najma Club, headed by Mr. Meshaal bin Mansour Al-Marzouki, announced the appointment of former international star Nasser Al-Shamrani as the general supervisor of the first football team until the end of the current 2025/26 season. This decision comes at a very critical time for the team, which is currently at the bottom of the Saudi Professional League standings.

Background to the decision and dimensions of the difficult task

In its official statement released on Friday, Al-Najma Club clarified that the administration has granted Nasser Al-Shamrani, nicknamed "The Earthquake," full technical and administrative authority to reorganize the team and get it back on track. This appointment is seen as a lifeline for one of the most prominent goalscorers in Saudi football history, with the hope that his experience and strong personality will help instill a renewed fighting spirit in the players.

Al-Najma team is in an unenviable situation, as it occupies the last place in the standings with only 4 points, collected from 4 draws, without tasting victory in the past 17 rounds, while it suffered 12 defeats, making it the first threat to relegation.

Nasser Al-Shamrani: From stadium legend to rescue mission

Nasser Al-Shamrani (42 years old) boasts a football career brimming with achievements and titles, establishing himself as one of the best strikers in the history of Saudi Arabia and Asia. Al-Shamrani was crowned Asian Player of the Year in 2014 and holds the record for the most Saudi League top scorer titles with five. Throughout his career, he played for major Saudi clubs such as Al-Hilal, Al-Shabab, and Al-Ittihad, leaving an indelible mark of goal-scoring prowess at every club he joined.

The management of Al-Najma is counting on this inspiring career and the extensive experience that Al-Shamrani has gained in Saudi and Asian stadiums, not only on the technical level, but also on the psychological and moral side, to get the players out of the state of frustration they are going through.

First challenge and expected impact

Al-Shamrani's first challenge in his new role will be the crucial match against Al-Qadisiyah on Sunday evening, January 25th, as part of the 18th round of the Roshan League. The Saudi sports community eagerly awaits to see the impact Al-Shamrani will have on the team's performance in this pivotal encounter.

Locally, this move is seen as a significant and calculated gamble by Al-Najma Club, one that could either lead the team to safety or prove to be a challenging first managerial experience for a football legend. Al-Shamrani's success in this role could open many doors for him in the world of coaching and sports management in the future, while Al-Najma's continued presence in the top league remains the ultimate goal for all the club's loyal fans.