The Saudi Professional League now boasts some of the biggest stars in football, with many familiar faces making up the league’s 10 most valuable players.
Surprisingly, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Riyad Mahrez did not make the list as their market value has started to decline due to age.
Use numbers from transfer marketwe ranked the 10 most valuable players in the Saudi Professional League for the 2023-24 season.
10. Sadio Mane (£21.86 million)
After an underwhelming spell at Bayern Munich, Mane moved to Al Nasr in the summer. He is now listed as one of the club’s most valuable players as he is considered more valuable than Ronaldo, Talisca and Aymeric Laporte.
The Senegalese winger will always hold a special place in the hearts of Liverpool fans and it will be no surprise to see him excel in his new surroundings.
=8. Alexander Mitrovic (£24.48m)
Mitrovic was forced to move to Al Hilal in the summer as the lucrative salary offered by the Saudi club was considered life-changing. He is currently averaging a goal every 74 minutes and seems to be loving life at his new club.
“I moved here from one of the best (leagues), the Premier League, and I think this league has everything to become one of the best leagues in the world in the future, in the next few years,” Mitrovic told European News.
Malcom assists ➡️Mitrovic completes the shot!
4️⃣in4️⃣For Mitro 🤩🔥#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/grgAX9w8Mq
— Roshn Saudi Arabian League (@SPL_EN) November 13, 2023
=8. Roger Ibanez (£24.48m)
The Saudi Professional League is home to many Brazilian internationals, and Ibanez moved here in the summer. The former Roma defender now plays for Al Ahli and has a market value of £24.48m.
=6. Malcolm (£26.23m)
Al Hilal reportedly paid Malcom a fee of £52.5 million, but Transfermarkt believe he is worth around half that. The former Barcelona winger spent his final years playing in Russia before moving to Saudi Arabia in July.
He has proven his worth with six goals and four assists in his first 13 games so far. Al Hilal are currently four points clear at the top of the table and Malcom is crucial to their title hopes.
=6. Gabri Vega (£26.23m)
Most players who have recently moved to Saudi Arabia are in the latter stages of their careers, but that doesn’t apply to Vega. The 21-year-old has admirers from across Europe but has decided to move to Ahly.
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos was one of the stars to criticize Vega’s move, but the incoming Spanish midfielder was quick to defend his decision.
“I know everyone has an opinion, but there were other decisions that tipped the balance,” Vega told reporters. “Of all the options, I felt this was one that would allow me to continue to grow as a football player and mature in a rapidly growing league.”
5. Ottavio (£30.6 million)
Nasr spent a record fee to lure Ottavio away from Porto in the summer. The Saudi side reportedly spent £52.5m on the playmaker, slightly more than his thought value of £30.6m.
Ottavio scores at Al Nassr 🤩🇵🇹#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/61InwJZst2
— Roshn Saudi Arabian League (@SPL_EN) November 1, 2023
4. Fabinho (£33.22 million)
The Brazilian midfielder won every trophy during his time at Liverpool and moved to the Etihad in the summer, joining the likes of Benzema and N’Golo Kante.
The 30-year-old is considered the Etihad’s most valuable player, with a market value of £33.22m, just shy of the £40m Liverpool paid to acquire his services.
=2. Ruben Neves (£34.97m)
Despite only recently moving to Al Hilal, Neves has been linked with a return to the Premier League. Newcastle United are said to be interested in the midfielder, although Premier League clubs could vote to block a loan move between the clubs involved in England’s top flight.
The former Wolves midfielder appears to be in his prime now and we can’t help but feel he’s a bit wasted playing in Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career. Time will tell if he returns to the Premier League in January.
=2. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (£34.97m)
Al Hilal got a good deal on Milinkovic-Savic, paying a fee of around £34.97m to secure his services. The 28-year-old has excelled in midfield, contributing four goals in his first 10 games.
1. Neymar (£43.71 million)
Are you looking forward to anyone else? Sadly, we won’t be seeing the Brazilian star for the foreseeable future as he is still recovering from a serious ACL injury he suffered on international duty.
There’s no doubt that Neymar is one of the best players of his generation, but we can’t help but feel a little frustrated that his career seems to be fading out as of late. Fingers crossed he comes back from injury stronger than ever.
Next article: The 10 players with the most goals in the Saudi Professional League: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema…
Here’s a quiz: Can you name Barcelona’s XI for Neymar’s debut in 2013?