The Saudi Pro League begins its season amid claims of rising global status and notable performances, including Al-Hilal reaching the Club World Cup quarter-finals and beating Manchester City. The league is pursuing foreign capital through privatization, with three clubs transferred to investment entities and Al-Kholood acquired by the US-based Harburg Group led by Ben Harburg. Al-Kholood, from Ar Rass, were promoted in 2024 and finished ninth, helped by Myziane Maolida's 15 goals and defender William Troost-Ekong. The club appointed English manager Des Buckingham, and the league appears increasingly competitive with multiple potential title challengers.
The Saudi Pro League season kicks off on Thursday, just before the international break, when Cristiano Ronaldo will probably make headlines by saying the Saudi Pro League is one of the top five in the world. If so, the 40-year-old is bound to reference Al-Hilal reaching the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup, drawing with Real Madrid then beating Manchester City 4-3.
There is now something else, though, that the league has in common with its European counterparts US money. In July the ministry of sports announced that three clubs had passed into private hands. Al-Kholood, the only one in the top tier, have been taken over by an American investment company, the Harburg Group, run by the venture capital investor Ben Harburg.
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