Both genuine RSL giants, Al Somah has something Ronaldo covets still | OneFootball

Only one player has captured a hat-trick of successive golden boots in the Saudi Pro League era, and that was Syrian superstar Omar Al Somah.

With 73 goals across three seasons between 2014 and 2017, the former Al Ahli striker dominated the Roshn Saudi League like few others, becoming the most feared frontman not only in the competition, but across Asia, as well.

There is justifiable argument that, were it not for a nagging ankle injury during the 2017-18 campaign, Al Somah would’ve collected an unprecedented four consecutive golden boot.

As it was, in only 14 games that season, he netted 11 times to finish two shy of Al Fayha's Ronnie Fernandez, who took home the honour with a modest 13 goals.

But, fast-forwarding to present day, the still-active Al Somah could soon have company in the RSL history books. For Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is homing in on a hat-trick of top-scorer honours of his own.

Having landed the golden boot in the previous two seasons, with 35 - a record - and 25 goals respectively, the five-time Ballon d’Or is currently second in the 2025-26 standings. It was only last month that Ronaldo was overtaken at the summit by Al Ahli’s man of the moment, Ivan Toney.

With 78 RSL goals already, Ronaldo has surpassed Al Somah’s total across that three-year period, so a third gong of his own would set Al Nassr’s master marksmen apart in the record books.

Al Somah, who last round extended his lead as the RSL’s all-time top-scorer, has something that Ronaldo yet doesn’t, however: the league trophy.

Al Somah’s reign coincided with a golden period for Al Ahli, not only securing the league title in 2015-16 - their most recent domestic success - but also in the Jeddah giants completing four straight top-two finishes.

While individual accolades matter, it’s collective glory that Ronaldo most covets now. Especially having watched on since arriving in the Kingdom as Al Hilal and Al Ittihad - the latter twice - have claimed silverware at his, and Al Nassr’s, expense.

“Of course, my goal is always to win something important for Al Nassr, and I still believe in that,” Ronaldo said last June at the time of extending his club contract through until 2027. “I believe that I will be champion in Saudi Arabia.”

No doubt, belief has been buttressed by Al Nassr first leading the league through the opening nine rounds, then keeping on Al Hilal’s coattails at the top. Heading into Matchweek 23, the 2023-24 runners-up were second once more, one point back from their Riyadh rivals.

In contrast, priorities for Al Somah are slightly different in his current guise as Al Hazem captain. Now aged 36, playing for a team who often find themselves battling relegation, he might even concede it's unlikely that he'll add to his trio of golden boots.

But, as the most prolific striker in RSL history (159 goals), as well as trying to fire his current side the highest-finish possible this season, it’s about extending his advantage in the record books. As it stands, Al Somah's out in front by eight goals of Al Shabab forward Abderrazak Hamdallah.

Sitting 68 goals further back, even the evergreen Ronaldo, having this month celebrated his 41st birthday, will most probably not seriously trouble Al Somah’s mantle. Still, as the pair prepare to face off in the RSL on Saturday, you can guarantee he’ll be chasing whatever history he can.

In his three-season run, Al Somah notched six hat-tricks, while Ronaldo has four to his name - all gleaned during that record-breaking 2023-24 campaign, which he hailed 'one of the best' of his glittering career.

Yet Ronaldo perches in pole position when it comes to goal contributions. Alongside his 73 goals, Al Somah recorded six assists between 2014 and 2017; Ronaldo, meanwhile, has been both scorer and provider, with 15 assists thus far in the RSL.

That said, when it comes to the league, it’s splitting hairs to try and compare the two. Ronaldo has scored acrobatic beauties, such as his sublime overhead-kick not too long ago against Al Khaleej or his stunning first-time volley against Al Riyadh last season, voted the 2024-25 RSL’s Goal of the Season.

Not to be outdone, Al Somah has a highlights reel just as spectacular. Who will ever forget his own incredible overhead in the Sea Derby against Al Ittihad in 2019? Or his jaw-dropping, long-range free-kick against Al Nassr in his debut season, back in 2014?

Rather than putting each up against one another, it's better to simply appreciate the dazzling duo's equal greatness and remarkable contribution to the RSL across many years.

As they go head-to-head this week, with Al Nassr hosting their 11th-placed opponents at Al Awwal Park, each enter the encounter with competing priorities.

Ronaldo is looking to make up lost ground, not only on Toney in the Golden Boot race, but on Al Hilal in the all-important title race.

On the other hand, Al Somah and Al Hazem are primed for a tough run of fixtures, with their next four coming against teams in the upper half of the table as they look to break into it themselves.

So Saturday night’s clash is crucial in so many ways - not least for the fact it might be one of the final opportunities we get to see two all-time RSL greats grace the same pitch.

And that, like they have done almost unabated in the Saudi top flight, is always something worth celebrating.