The Saudi Pro League has unveiled the five contenders for its coveted 2025-26 Player of the Season award, with football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney leading a highly competitive shortlist.
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the league, as it approaches its thrilling final day with an intense title showdown between Al Nassr and Al Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a prominent figure in the league, is a strong favorite for the award. He recently achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 100 Pro League goals and has netted an impressive 26 goals this season. His pursuit of his first major trophy with Al Nassr adds further weight to his nomination.
Joining Ronaldo as a nominee is his Al Nassr teammate, Joao Felix. Felix has enjoyed a standout debut season, contributing significantly with a plethora of assists and crucial goal involvements, making him a valuable asset to his team.
Ivan Toney emerges as another formidable candidate for the accolade. The striker has been in exceptional form for Al-Ahli, finding the back of the net 32 times this campaign, showcasing his lethal finishing ability.
The list of nominees is further rounded out by Julian Quinones of Al-Qadsiah, who has also reached the impressive 30-goal mark, demonstrating his consistent scoring prowess. Completing the stellar lineup is Ruben Neves, the midfield maestro for league leaders Al Hilal, whose control and vision have been instrumental to his team's success.
To be eligible for the Player of the Season award, nominees must have featured in at least 40 percent of their respective teams' matches throughout the campaign, ensuring that the selected player has been a consistent performer over the course of the season.
