Seven Of The BEST Shirts From The Saudi Pro League

The emergence of the Saudi Pro League might be one of the most depressing things to happen to football in decades. The sheer number of players, many of whom are at the peak of their powers, willing to abandon any aspiration of career glory for oil-soaked riches is a bleak indictment of the game’s startling lack of moral integrity.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr earlier this year seemed innocuous enough. But the pace of lucrative transfers quickened soon after. Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante joined defending champions Al Ittihad, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy signed for Al Ahli, and former Chelsea teammate Kalidou Koulibaly joined rivals Al Hilal.

Marcelo Brozovic moved to Al Nassr, Roberto Firmino completed a free transfer to Al Ahli after leaving Liverpool, and Serbian star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic accepted a sensational move to Al Hilal.

Perhaps even more controversially, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson – an outspoken ally of the LGBTQ+ community - linked up with former Reds and England captain Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq.

It seems as though the Saudi Pro League is something we will have to get used to. A bit like James Cordon or Covid.

So, reluctantly, we have taken a look at kits past and present to pick seven of our favourites.  

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7. Al-Itthiad FC

The club now home to Benzema and Kante is located in the city of Jedda. Their shirt is produced by Nike and is nice enough. Shades of Watford or Dortmund.  

6. Al-Fayha FC 

It’s orange, which is a positive, and the graphic is kinda cool. Al-Fayiha were only promoted to the Pro League in 2012 but managed to finish second in the 2020/21 campaign.

5. Al-Riyadh FC

The shirt is produced by Zeus, a brand from southern Italy that also makes Salernitana’s jerseys. You can’t go wrong with red and black stripes.

4. Al-Orobah

It’s a bit wild, this. The club’s 2018/19 shirt, produced by Givova, another Italian manufacturer, comes with some serious snot vibes.

3. Al-Taawoun

Looks a bit futuristic, this one. It’s their third shirt for the forthcoming season and we dig it, sort of.

2. Al-Nassr

The club’s 2022/23 third shirt (as worn by Ronaldo) looks a bit like a Real Madrid jersey. Or perhaps Port Vale. Who knows? Who cares. Nice.

1. Damac FC

Their third shirt from the 21/22 season bears a photograph of the club’s stadium façade taken around 40 years ago, which is kinda cool.