3 matches in the start of the Roshn League

The 51st edition of the Saudi Professional League kicks off on Thursday with three matches in the first round of the tournament. The first match brings together Damac and Al-Hazem, the second match sees Al-Ettifaq take on Al-Khulud, and the third match sees Al-Ahli take on Neom. Al-Ahli Jeddah will seek to build on their continental success after winning the AFC Champions League for the first time in their history, led by Algerian Riyad Mahrez and his German coach Matthias Jaissle. They will host the newly promoted Neom team, which has signed French coach Christophe Galtier and brought in several new players, including Algerian Said Benrahma and veteran French striker Alexandre Lacazette. The remaining matches of the first round will be played on Friday and Saturday, with Al-Hilal facing Al-Riyadh, Al-Shabab facing Al-Khaleej, and Al-Taawoun facing Al-Nasr on Friday. The following day, Al-Fateh will play Al-Fayha, Al-Akhdoud will play Al-Ittihad, and Al-Qadisiyah will play Al-Najma. Al-Ittihad will begin their title defense when they visit Al-Akhdoud, a club that has escaped relegation, in a match in which the defending champions will seek to overcome their loss in the Super Cup semi-final against Al-Nasr. Al-Hilal, who will host Riyadh, will be counting on their distinguished participation in the Club World Cup in the United States, where they drew with Real Madrid and beat Manchester City to reach the quarter-finals, to regain the Saudi League title they have won 19 times. Al-Nassr will begin their journey with a difficult match at Al-Taawoun Stadium, where they finished eighth last season. They will rely on an elite group of distinguished players, including Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, his compatriot Joao Felix, Senegalese Sadio Mane, French Kingsley Coman, and Spaniard Inigo Martinez. The 18 clubs in the Saudi League have been preparing during training camps abroad and have strengthened their ranks with local and foreign acquisitions, while Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has extended his contract with Al-Nassr until 2027.