Saudi Pro League Market Values: Ronaldo Still Strong, Núñez Takes a Hit!

The Saudi league's spending has cooled, but Ronaldo retains value while Darwin Núñez declines

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:20pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented soccer match, with overlapping planes of blue, white, and gold representing the teams in the Saudi Pro League.The Saudi Pro League's shifting player values reflect the league's ongoing evolution and its ability to attract and retain top global talent.Atlanta Today

The Saudi Pro League has seen a slowdown in spending this season, and Transfermarkt has updated the market values of 33 players in the top division. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old, retained his €12 million market value, remaining the most valuable player over 40. However, the biggest story is the €10 million decline in value for Darwin Núñez, who signed for Al-Hilal from Liverpool last summer but has struggled with just six goals in 16 league appearances. The league has also seen promising value increases for young talents like Saïmon Bouabré and Kader Meïté, but the overall trends raise questions about the Saudi Pro League's ability to retain top talent.

Why it matters

The Saudi Pro League's ability to attract big-name players has been a major talking point in world football, but the decline in value of some high-profile signings like Núñez suggests the league may be struggling to live up to the hype. The league's long-term viability and its impact on the global transfer market will be closely watched.

The details

Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old, retained his €12 million market value, remaining the most valuable player over 40 in the Saudi Pro League. However, the real story is the €10 million decline in value for Darwin Núñez, who signed for Al-Hilal from Liverpool last summer but has scored just six goals in 16 league appearances this term. Meanwhile, teenage duo Saïmon Bouabré and Kader Meïté saw their values rise significantly after joining Al-Hilal, suggesting the league is investing in young talent.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, retained his €12 million market value this spring.
  • Darwin Núñez suffered a €10 million downgrade in his market value this season.
  • Saïmon Bouabré and Kader Meïté saw their values rise after joining Al-Hilal in the winter window.

The players

Cristiano Ronaldo

A 41-year-old Portuguese superstar who plays for league leaders Al-Nassr and is by far the most valuable player over 40 in the Saudi Pro League.

Darwin Núñez

A Uruguayan striker who signed for Al-Hilal from Liverpool last summer but has scored just six goals in 16 league appearances this term, leading to a €10 million decline in his market value.

Saïmon Bouabré

A 19-year-old midfielder signed by Al-Hilal for €23 million in the winter window, whose market value rose from €4 million to €15 million.

Kader Meïté

An 18-year-old forward signed by Al-Hilal for €30 million from Stade Rennes, whose market value increased from €10 million to €18 million this March.

Mateo Retegui

The most valuable player in the entire Saudi Pro League, an Italian striker with a market value of €35 million despite a €5 million downgrade this spring.

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What they’re saying

“The Saudi Pro League's spending has been overblown, and the players are not performing as well as expected.”

— Greg O'Connell, Author

What’s next

The Saudi Pro League's long-term viability and its impact on the global transfer market will be closely watched in the coming years as the league continues to evolve.

The takeaway

The Saudi Pro League is a fascinating experiment in world football, but the decline in value of some high-profile players like Darwin Núñez raises questions about the league's ability to retain top talent. The league's investment in young players is a positive sign, but it will take time and continued investment to establish the Saudi Pro League as a true top-tier competition.