Next Gen: The young Saudis proving future is bright in RSL | OneFootball

One of the most enjoyable aspects of any Roshn Saudi League season is the emergence of a new generation of talent.

Each campaign, fresh players cycle into the competition, while some of those already in the system take their opportunity and run with it.

One of the clubs renowned for giving young blood an opportunity is Al Fateh. Going back many years, the Al Ahsa club have developed players that have gone on to bigger things, and this season is no exception.

As many as 11 of Jose Gomes’ squad are aged 23 or under have been given game time, with a lot of those being teenagers.

Here we profile some of the young talents at Al Fateh and elsewhere around the league, who have already made an indelible impression in the 2025-26 RSL.

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Abdulaziz Al Fawaz - Al Fateh (Age 17)

One of the youngest players to feature this season, the midfielder made his debut in August only a few months after his 17th birthday.

Al Fawaz has featured regularly in the past few months, mostly off the bench, but he has also been given four starts so far. With five shots and three chances created, he’s making an impact and looks an exciting prospect for the future.

Abdulaziz Al Fawaz is another hugely talented youngster coming through at Al Fateh

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Abdullah Al Enezi - Al Fateh (23)

Although slightly older, the attacking midfielder turned 23 only last month, and to celebrate he turned in impressive performances against both NEOM Sports Club and Al Najmah in the lead up to this birthday. Across the two games, he registered a goal and an assist.

Having already featured in more than half of Al Fateh’s RSL matches this season, Al Enezi is on track to play his most games in a campaign (15, last term). No doubt, after clearly earning Gomes’ trust, he will continue to offer an important contribution as Al Fateh look to cement a top-half finish.

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Abdulaziz Al Elewa - Al Kholood (22)

Celebrating his 22nd birthday this week, the Al Nassr youth product has made a huge impression for Al Kholood having been backed massively by manager Des Buckingham.

Playing almost every game this season, the winger has three goals and an assist, including the winner last time out against Al Shabab. It’s the sort of form that contributed to his October RSL Player of the Month award.

Meanwhile, Al Elewa also played a starring role for the Saudi Arabia national team in their superb success at the Under-23 Gulf Cup in December, scooping the tournament’s MVP award with three goals - including one in the final against Iraq.

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Faris Al Ghamdi - Al Ettifaq (22)

Having been given an increased role at Al Ettifaq since the resumption of the league at the end of December, the central midfielder made an immediate impact with an assist in his side's 2-2 draw with Al Nassr.

Al Ghamdi followed that up a few weeks later with a second assist, as Al Ettifaq upset defending champions Al Ittihad 1-0 in Jeddah. It came only days after he returned from the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup with Saudi Arabia.

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Majed Abdullah - Al Shabab (20)

Good luck to any young player coming through who bears the name Majed Abdullah, after one of the greatest strikers Saudi Arabia has ever produced.

Like his namesake also a striker, Abdullah's opportunities this season may have been limited as Al Shabab struggled until recently, but he has still featured in nine games. Certainly, with age on his side - he turned 20 on Friday - there’s no doubt more opportunities will come Abdullah’s way.

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Sabri Dahal - Al Fayha (17)

In a season that’s been largely a modest one for Al Fayha, the emergence of the exciting winger has been an undoubted bright spot.

With three goals in total, including two in the past few weeks and two Man of the Match performances, Dahal is one of the more promising talents to emerge across the RSL this term.

Turning 18 later this month, if this form he's shown across 12 appearances in 2025-26 continues, he will be a name featuring even more prominently than he is now.

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Ahmed Al Julaydan - Al Ittihad (21)

Coming back to where this list began, the full-back was first developed at Al Fateh before earning a move to Al Ittihad in the off-season - yes, to the defending RSL champions, no less.

While the Jeddah giants haven’t enjoyed the best of title defences, in Al Julaydan, they have a young star capable of serving them well into the future.

The right-back has featured in 17 of Al Ittihad’s 20 league games so far this season, with a string of impressive performances throughout January contributing to the team’s push for a top-five finish.