Football
Best Saudi Pro League Players Ever: A Data-Driven Ranking
The Saudi Pro League (SPL) boasts a storied history that long predates its recent emergence as a global football destination. Since its inception in 1976, the league has been a stage for remarkable domestic and regional talents who defined its legacy with extraordinary goalscoring feats. Before the arrival of international superstars, players like Majed Abdullah, Nasser Al-Shamrani, Omar Al-Somah, and Abderrazak Hamdallah carved their names into SPL lore, setting records that continue to resonate.
Omar Al Somah/Getty Images
These legends, through their prolific scoring and enduring impact, laid the foundation for the league’s rise. Using the SB Market Index, we rank the all-time best SPL players, blending statistical excellence with expert recognition to celebrate the league’s rich heritage of goalscoring brilliance.
SB Market Index: How We Evaluate the Saudi Pro League’s Greatest Players
The SB Market Index ranks the greatest Saudi Pro League players by blending stats, like Goals Per Game, Total Goals, and Appearances, with their prominence in debates about the league’s all-time greats, creating a balanced view of performance and legacy.
Industry Insights
To assess each player’s standing, we analysed five leading football and sports media sources, measuring how often they are cited as top performers in SPL history:
| Source Name | Majed Abdullah | Nasser Al-Shamrani | Omar Al-Somah | Abderrazak Hamdallah | Fahd Al-Hamdan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia – All-time top scorers | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Saudi Gazette – Al-Somah extends lead (2025) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| SportsDigest – Top scorers list | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Asia.futbol – Top five scorers list | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| FootballNews.today – “10 Greatest Strikers” | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Omar Al-Somah leads with five mentions, followed by Al-Shamrani and Hamdallah with four each, while Abdullah and Al-Hamdan have fewer citations.
SB Score
The SB Score is calculated using three career metrics in the SPL: Goals Per Game Ratio (50% weightage), Total Goals Scored (30% weightage), and Total Appearances (20% weightage). The table below details their performance:
| Player | Goals | Appearances | Ratio | SB Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Majed Abdullah | 189 | 194 | 0.97 | 0.957 |
| Abderrazak Hamdallah | 150 | 163 | 0.92 | 0.868 |
| Omar Al-Somah | 155 | 197 | 0.79 | 0.835 |
| Nasser Al-Shamrani | 167 | 301 | 0.55 | 0.803 |
| Fahd Al-Hamdan | 120 | 252 | 0.48 | 0.627 |
Majed Abdullah tops the SB Score with a 0.97 goals-per-game ratio and 189 goals, followed closely by Hamdallah and Al-Somah.
SB Market Index
The final SB Market Index combines the SB Score with Industry Insights to produce the definitive ranking:
| Rank | Player | SB Score | Industry Insights | SB Market Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Al-Somah | 0.835 | 5 | 4.167 |
| 2 | Nasser Al-Shamrani | 0.803 | 4 | 3.361 |
| 3 | Abderrazak Hamdallah | 0.868 | 4 | 3.374 |
| 4 | Majed Abdullah | 0.957 | 3 | 2.591 |
| 5 | Fahd Al-Hamdan | 0.627 | 2 | 1.725 |
Omar Al-Somah: The Consensus King of SPL Strikers
Omar Al-Somah claims the top spot in the SB Market Index with a score of 4.167, driven by his unmatched Industry Insights score of five and a robust SB Score of 0.835. His 155 goals in 197 SPL appearances, with a 0.79 goals-per-game ratio, reflect his modern-day dominance.
Al-Somah’s three consecutive Golden Boots from 2014 to 2017 and his record as the SPL’s all-time leading scorer, as noted by the Saudi Gazette in 2025, cement his legacy. His consistent media recognition as a top striker underscores his widespread acclaim, making him the consensus king of SPL strikers.
The Prolific Contenders: Shamrani and Hamdallah
Nasser Al-Shamrani and Abderrazak Hamdallah rank closely behind, with SB Market Index scores of 3.361 and 3.374, respectively. Al-Shamrani’s 167 goals in 301 appearances, yielding an SB Score of 0.803, and four Industry Insights mentions highlight his enduring impact.
His four Golden Boots between 2010 and 2014 showcase his consistency. Hamdallah, with 150 goals in 163 appearances and a 0.92 goals-per-game ratio, earns an SB Score of 0.868 and four media mentions. His 2022-23 Golden Boot and prolific scoring for Al-Ittihad place him among the elite. Both players’ high expert ratings and impressive records make them formidable contenders in the SPL’s historical hierarchy.
The Statistical Leader: Majed Abdullah
Majed Abdullah, often hailed as Al-Nassr’s greatest icon, leads the SB Score with a 0.957, driven by his remarkable 0.97 goals-per-game ratio and 189 goals in 194 appearances. His seven Golden Boots and role in Al-Nassr’s dominance during the 1970s and 1980s mark him as a statistical titan.
However, his SB Market Index ranking of fourth (2.591) reflects a lower Industry Insights score of three, possibly due to his earlier era receiving less modern media coverage. Despite this, Abdullah’s statistical excellence ensures his place among the SPL’s all-time greats, with a legacy that continues to inspire.
Conclusion
The Saudi Pro League’s rich history is illuminated by its extraordinary goalscorers, with Omar Al-Somah emerging as the top player in our SB Market Index. His blend of modern dominance and universal expert recognition secures his crown. Nasser Al-Shamrani and Abderrazak Hamdallah follow closely, their prolific records and media prominence affirming their status as SPL legends.
While Majed Abdullah holds the strongest statistical claim, his slightly lower media presence in this sample places him fourth. Fahd Al-Hamdan rounds out the list, a testament to the league’s depth of talent. These players embody the SPL’s legacy, their goals and records weaving a vibrant tapestry of Saudi football history that continues to captivate fans worldwide.
With a decade of sports writing expertise, Nigel Naicker has crafted compelling content across football leagues like the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, as well as cricket and UFC. A passionate storyteller since 2014, Nigel joins the SportsBoom team, ready to deliver insightful narratives across various sports disciplines.