Sports Bulletin Report
Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): The 2024-25 season ushers in a new era for the Roshn Saudi League (RSL), featuring a series of innovations aimed at enhancing the league’s competitiveness, as well as a host of new international stars and homegrown heroes.
Gracing the league for the first time will be names including former Real Madrid captain Nacho, Premier Leaue golden boot winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as well as high-profile arrivals Houssem Aouar, Moussa Diaby and Predrag Rajkovic. Meanwhile, World Cup winner Laurent Blanc is one of a number of new faces in the dugout, including Sabri Lamouchi.
Benzema said: “We’re here to challenge for everything, not just make up the numbers. We know we need to improve. We have a new manager and have added some real quality to the squad with Moussa Diaby and Houssem Aouar, and I’ve been really impressed by some of the younger guys who have come in to the squad. As senior players it’s our job to take responsibility and allow these young guys to come in to the team and thrive.”
Neves said: “Winning trophies comes with great responsibility, and we take that seriously. We know we can’t take our foot off the gas… so we’re focused on having a great start to the season and we’re looking forward to having injured players back in the team. We know they can take us to that next level.”
Mane said: “We fell short last season and we need to step up this year. Everyone in the squad, myself included. I’m sure every other team in the league is hoping to do the same. I’m expecting a super competitive season with some very good players joining the league and new young boys coming through.”
Aubameyang said: “My challenge is to continue what I've been doing all my career and all my life: scoring goals and try to give my experience to the team and to the players. It's getting better and better [The RSL]. And obviously we're here to bring the level higher.”
Gerrard said: “You can already see things have gone up a notch with the league, not just in the quality of the teams but how the league are going about things. We’re really looking forward to the new derby weekends, which I think will give those fixtures an added edge and I think some of the transfers in and out across the league are really smart.”
Blanc said: “So far, I’ve been really impressed with everything I’ve seen – from the facilities through to the infrastructure of the league. We know we are here to build a winning team and that is absolutely my priority, to restore Al Ittihad to where it needs to be, but we also have an eye on making sure we’re making the most of fantastic young talents like we have here.”
The 2023-24 season saw eight RSL clubs move to new stadiums thanks to the Ministry of Sport’s efforts to elevate sporting infrastructure. The league’s global footprint also grew by 30% to reach 160 countries across 38 platforms, as part of the competition’s goal to become a top global football league.
