Riyadh's two giants dominate the Team of the Week
The ideal lineup for round 21 of the Saudi Professional League, released by the global statistics platform SofaScore, reflected the fierce battle for the top spot, with players from Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, the two Riyadh giants, dominating the selection. This selection came as a reward for the exceptional performances delivered by both teams in this round, which saw Al-Hilal strengthen their lead and Al-Nassr continue their pursuit.
Background to the historic competition in the current season
The 2023-2024 season marks a historic turning point in the history of the Saudi Professional League. With the influx of some of the world's brightest football stars, the competition has reached unprecedented levels, drawing global attention to the battles between Saudi clubs. The fierce rivalry between Al-Hilal, the league leaders with a record-breaking winning streak and no losses, and their traditional rivals Al-Nassr, led by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, stands out. Every round has become a tactical and technical battle, and the Team of the Week selections are a reflection of these on-field clashes.
The outstanding performance of Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr stars
In round 21, Al-Hilal continued their march towards the title with an important victory over Al-Ettifaq, and three of their players stood out in the ideal lineup: Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, Brazilian winger Malcom, and Saudi star Salem Al-Dawsari. This trio displayed great synergy and the ability to make a difference, with Al-Dawsari scoring a crucial goal, while Mitrovic and Malcom posed a constant threat to the opposing defense.
On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo led his team, Al-Nassr, to a thrilling victory, securing his place in the ideal attacking lineup. He was joined by four of his teammates: Anderson Talisca, Alex Telles, Ali Lajami, and Sultan Al-Ghannam, highlighting the collective strength of Al-Nassr and its ability to achieve victories thanks to the brilliance of its stars across all positions.
The importance of selection and its impact on the league
The dominance of Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr players in the Team of the Week is not merely a matter of individual player recognition, but also has a significant impact on the overall league landscape. Domestically, these selections heighten fan enthusiasm and deepen the sense of pride among supporters of both clubs. Internationally, the frequent inclusion of global stars like Ronaldo, Mitrovic, and Malcom in the Team of the Week highlights the high quality of the competition and reinforces the Roshan League's position as one of the most attractive leagues for talent and followers worldwide, thus contributing to the realization of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals in the sports sector.
The full lineup for Round 21:
- Goalkeeper: Vladimir Stojkovic (Al-Fayha)
- Defense line: Sultan Al-Ghannam (Al-Nassr), Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Ali Lajami (Al-Nassr), Alex Telles (Al-Nassr)
- Midfield: Malcom (Al-Hilal), Alvaro Medran (Al-Ettifaq), Anderson Talisca (Al-Nassr)
- Forwards: Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al-Hilal), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)
