MW4 Talking Points: Blanc, Leonardo, Lacazette, Al Ghannam in headlines

Yet another mighty matchweek concluded in the Roshn Saudi Leaue at the weekend, with Al Nassr underlining their title credentials with a statement win at Al Ittihad – a result that saw the champions part ways with the man who delivered the top-flight crown.

However, there was a plethora of other storylines to digest, including a rousing return for one Al Hilal star, Al Fayha's standout summer signing, and a new boy making his mark at Al Ettifaq.

So, with the RSL pausing now for the latest FIFA international break, check out some of the highlight headline-makers from Matchweek 4.

– Saturday, 27 September 2025

Al Nassr’s superb 2-0 win at Al Ittihad on Friday was ultimately notable for two very significant reasons. In the immediate aftermath, the result only r einforced the feeling the Riyadh club look more set to mount a sustained title challenge this season.

Al Nassr’s success was sealed by Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo, with crucial contributions -again – from summer signings Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman. As it is, Al Nassr are the only club boasting a 100 percent record this campaign and, for that, they perch at the summit.

However, little more than 24 hours after the dust had settled on an incredible occasion in Jeddah, Al Ittihad announced the departure of title-winning manager Laurent Blanc .

The Frenchman, who delivered the top-flight trophy on debut last term , had exited, with the heavyweight club stating they have begun the search for a "new technical staff that matches the club’s ambitions”.

Irrespective of Friday's defeat - Al Ittihad's first in the 2025-26 RSL - whoever replaces Blanc, they will take over a team still third in the table and only three points off the summit.

Al Fayha’s decision to bring on board Alfa Semedo this summer is proving rather astute.

The Al Majma’ah club were obviously impressed with the Guinea-Bissau international’s role in helping NEOM Sports Club to that historic promotion last season, while he had shown previously at Al Tai that he can perform in the top tier, too.

Even still, the ease at which Semedo has settled has been hugely impressive. On Saturday, the Benfica youth product was instrumental in Al Fayha’s 2-1 win at new boys Al Najmah, first in breaking the deadlock 15 minutes from time with a glancing header from Jason’s cross.

Then, with two minutes remaining, Semedo set free Silvere Ganvoula for what was the winner, this time intercepting the ball in midfield to play through his grateful teammate.

So, four games into his Al Fayha career, Semedo has two goals and an assist. Oh, and by finding the net twice thus far, he has matched his best goal return in the RSL, from the 2022-23 season with Al Tai. He just needed 24 games fewer to do it.

No doubt, Al Hilal were rocked by the news that Joao Cancelo’s hamstring injury will keep him out of action for at least six to eight weeks. The Portugal international had enjoyed an amazing start to the season, both for club and country .

However, he limped out of Al Hilal’s opening AFC Champions League Elite encounter against Al Duhail, and the subsequent diagnosis was disappointing – to say the least.

Yet, as one door closed, another opened. Marcos Leonardo was drafted back into the 2023-24 champions’ RSL squad – and, in an instant, reminded everyone of his huge talent. On Thursday, the young Brazilian struck twice to bookend the 3-1 home victory against Al Okhdood.

Leonardo, 22, starred on debut last season in the RSL , scoring 17 times in 24 appearances to deputise for Aleksandar Mitrovic and help maintain Al Hilal's title challenge.

After defeat on RSL debut - albeit, at Asian champions Al Ahli - NEOM Sports Club have clearly found their feet. Since the loss on Matchweek 1 , they’ve reeled off three successive top-flight wins, the latest arriving on Saturday in the eventual 3-2 victory at Al Riyadh.

Understandably, NEOM SC were one of the most proactive clubs in the summer transfer window , the surgery extending from Christophe Galtier as manager to a number of experienced and precious recruits in the squad.

Alexandre Lacazette was the star man for NEOM SC at Al Riyadh, getting a goal and an assist

It was one of the earlier signings, though, that seems the catalyst for NEOM SC"s comfort. They knew what they were getting with Alexandre Lacazette , a striker of serious pedigree , yet the Frenchman has taken in no time to football in the Kingdom.

Against Al Riyadh, Lacazette chipped in considerably once more, kicking off the encounter with a second-minute assist to set the tone. Later, his goal nine minutes into the second half proved decisive, where Lacazette displayed some veteran positioning to head home at the far post.

With that all-round performance, he was soon clutching a Match of the Match award.

– Sunday, 28 September 2025

While a large portion of the fanfare at Al Ettifaq during the early season has centred around South African Mohau Nkota - totally justified, by the way - it may have masked another the impact of another summer addition.

Matchweek 4 certainly belonged to Khalid Al Ghannam, who was simply sublime in Al Ettifaq’s 3-1 triumph at Damac on Friday.

Not content with cancelling out the hosts’ opener almost immediately after they'd taken the lead, the Saudi forward then put the visitors ahead in the second half before teeing up Georginio Wijnaldum to make safe the result.

It was no surprise, then, that Al Ghannam was voted Man of the Match. The decisive display means the former Al Hilal man has three goals and two assists from four RSL appearances for his new club. What a start to life in Dammam.