The Saudi Professional League continues its thrilling competition as the 24th round of matches concludes, with the battle intensifying not only at the club level but also in terms of individual player statistics. In this context, SofaScore, a global network specializing in sports statistics and data, has revealed its list of the highest-rated players in the competition so far, based on a thorough analysis of their technical performance, effectiveness, and individual statistics achieved in previous matches.

Portuguese star Ruben Neves , the midfield maestro of Al-Hilal, topped the rankings with an outstanding rating of 7.9 . This figure reflects Neves' pivotal role in the "Leader's" lineup, as he has delivered exceptional performances this season, combining pinpoint accuracy in both long and short passes, solid defensive contributions in winning back possession, and a commanding presence that provides Al-Hilal with significant balance in midfield, contributing to the team's dominance in most matches.

In a pleasant surprise for Al-Dana fans, Greek star Kostas Fortounis , the playmaker for Al-Khaleej Club, came in second place with a rating of 7.88 , just a tiny fraction of the top spot. Fortounis continues to deliver high-level performances, distinguished by his impressive attacking prowess and exceptional ability to create scoring opportunities, in addition to scoring crucial goals that have directly contributed to improving his team's position in the standings and securing valuable points in recent rounds.

Third place went to another Portuguese star João Félix , a player for Al-Nassr, who received a rating of 7.66 . Félix has made a significant impact with Al-Nassr thanks to his intelligent movement in the attacking third, his individual skills that allow him to break down packed defenses, and his ability to make a difference in big, crucial matches, making him a key pillar of the team's formidable attacking force.

These figures and ratings take on particular significance given the historic transformation underway in the Saudi Professional League, which has become a global focal point thanks to attracting some of the world's most prominent football stars. The presence of players of the caliber of Neves, Felix, and Fortunes among the best reflects the rising technical and tactical level of the competition, where success is no longer solely based on big names, but rather on consistent performance on the pitch.

These statistics indicate that the battle for the title of "best" will remain fierce until the final rounds, adding more excitement and suspense to the remainder of the league season, as each player desires to lead his team towards achieving his seasonal goals, whether by competing for the title or improving his position.

The sports community in the Eastern Province expressed great satisfaction and appreciation for the initiative launched by the Al-Qadisiyah Club administration to invite the renowned Brazilian star José Carlos to inaugurate the club's Ramadan celebration. This gesture was not merely a protocolary invitation, but rather a tribute to a star who contributed significantly to the club's modern history. He will later be honored by the stars of the golden generation who played alongside him.

José Carlos... the architect of Asian joy

Carlos deserves this exceptional tribute. The memories of Saudi fans in general, and Al-Qadisiyah supporters in particular, still hold vivid images of his magical goals, especially those from set pieces, which he mastered with rare skill. Carlos was the cornerstone that paved the way for Al-Qadisiyah's most prominent continental achievement: winning the Asian Cup Winners' Cup, thus etching his name in gold in the club's history. His role wasn't limited to that; he and his teammates directly contributed to Al-Qadisiyah reaching four major finals in just two seasons, making that period the club's golden era.

Correcting history and returning to our roots

This recognition comes as part of a broader strategy and tireless work undertaken by the current club administration to connect Al-Qadisiyah's fans with their club's rich history. This approach was recently demonstrated by the club's serious efforts to correct the founding narrative and adopt the 1930s as the true date of its origins, rather than simply the final merger between Al-Shoalah and Al-Khobar clubs in 1968. This step reflects a desire to deepen Al-Qadisiyah's identity and highlight the club's long-standing history as one of the oldest sporting entities in the Kingdom.

Nasser Eid “Riley”.. A ​​legend of beginnings

To continue this historical trajectory, many club fans and critics see the importance of adopting new initiatives to rediscover historical figures and highlight the players who represent the link between the two merged teams (Al-Shoalah and Al-Khobar) and Al-Qadisiyah under its current name. At the forefront of these legends stands the exceptional player Nasser Eid, nicknamed “Riley.”.

Riley is considered the leading scorer of an early golden generation of Al-Qadisiyah players who dominated the Eastern Province. His career is replete with achievements, having won eight different championships with Al-Shoalah and then Al-Qadisiyah. However, his most prominent achievement, which etched his name in Saudi football history, was winning the top scorer title in the first-ever Saudi Premier League season of 1976-1977. This accomplishment cemented Al-Qadisiyah's place in Saudi football history as a wellspring of talent and goalscorers since the inception of official competitions.

The importance and impact of honoring

The club's management and fans are proceeding with honoring the club's all-time leading scorer, Nasser Eid "Riley," just as they did for his Brazilian teammate Carlos, which will further strengthen the bond between the current generation of fans and the club's glorious past. This connection is not merely about celebrating the past, but will also positively impact cultural and sporting awareness of Al-Qadisiyah's effective and fundamental contribution to building and developing football in the Eastern Province and the Kingdom as a whole, confirming that Al-Qadisiyah is not just a club, but a sporting legacy spanning decades.

All eyes of football fans in Saudi Arabia and beyond will be on the Kingdom's stadiums as the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League kicks off next Thursday evening, March 5th. This round comes at a crucial juncture in the competition, as the title race becomes increasingly clear, with the battle raging at the top of the table and in the relegation zone.

This round is of exceptional importance given the teams' positions in the standings. Al-Nassr enters this round sitting atop the Roshan League table, placing significant pressure on them to maintain their lead and widen the points gap. Al-Ahli, in second place, is close behind, delivering impressive performances and aiming to seize the top spot. Al-Hilal occupies third place, poised to capitalize on any slip-up by the leaders and runners-up to forcefully return to the forefront of the competition.

In a broader context, the Saudi League is witnessing unprecedented qualitative development, becoming a focus of global attention thanks to its high level of competitiveness and advanced infrastructure. This has transformed each round into a major sporting event that transcends local boundaries. This round features a heavyweight clash: the Jeddah derby between Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad. This match carries a long and storied history and is considered one of the strongest rivalries in the Arab region, adding a special flavor and heightened excitement to this week's competition.

Below we present the complete schedule of matches for round 25 of the Saudi Roshan League, which will take place over three days:

Thursday, March 5:

• Damac vs. Riyadh: 10:00 PM.
• Al-Kholoud vs. Al-Qadisiyah: 10:00 PM.

Friday, March 6 (Derby Day):

• Al-Taawon vs. Al-Fateh: 10:00 PM.
• Al-Khaleej vs. Al-Hazm: 10:00 PM.
• Al Hilal vs Al Najma: 10:00 PM.
• Al-Ahli vs. Al-Ittihad: 10:00 PM (Top of the round).

Saturday, March 7:

• Al-Nasr vs. Neom: 10:00 PM.
• Al-Akhdoud vs. Al-Fayha: 10:00 PM.
• Al-Ittifaq vs. Al-Shabab: 10:00 PM.

These matches are expected to witness a large audience turnout, especially given the convenient evening match times for fans, and with the fierce competition between the top three (Al-Nasr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Hilal), every point in this round will be crucial in the title race.