Ronaldo avoids cull as Saudi league casts out five legends | OneFootball

The Saudi Roshn League has had a ruthless window, ushering out several of the stars who defined its recent era, while Ronaldo remains under scrutiny.

Karim Benzema led Al-Ittihad to the 2024-2025 league and King’s Cup double, then joined Al-Hilal last winter. According to Goal.com, he was released via financial settlement at this season’s start after a brief stint that still brought the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup.

Riyad Mahrez delivered Al-Ahli’s first AFC Champions League Elite crown in 2024-2025 and the Saudi Super Cup, yet his deal was terminated at the end of last season. He is a free agent.

Franck Kessié left Al-Ahli when his contract expired, having scored in the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite final, then joined Atalanta on a free.

Fabinho underpinned Al-Ittihad’s league and King’s Cup double, was released at the end of last season, and signed for Trabzonspor in Türkiye on a free.

Marcelo Brozovic departed Al-Nassr when his contract ran down, having lifted the Arab Club Champions Cup and later helped secure a first Roshn League title in seven years, and he remains without a club.

Ronaldo has topped the scoring charts in two of the last three seasons and passed 100 goals in roughly three and a half campaigns. After a 2-1 defeat to Al-Ittihad, Sami Al-Jaber urged Al-Nassr to release him, a call Mohammed Noor rejected. His deal ends this season and he has said it may be his last.

Source: Goal.com

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