When Karim Benzema will face Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season

Will Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo be the two biggest stars in the Saudi Pro League (SPL) by the time the 2023/24 season kicks off?

For now, the two contemporary Real Madrid icons are the faces of the emerging frontier, but Saudi interest in Kylian Mbappe could alter that dynamic.

Nevertheless, the two superstars will represent the SPL’s top two sides next season and their duels sit among the most eagerly anticipated in the division. Benzema’s Al Ittihad are vying to retain the title, while Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are going in search of their first crown since 2019.

The clashes could be decisive in the title race, and here’s when they’ll meet next season.

The Saudis have set the stage for a potentially thrilling conclusion to the 2023/24 campaign with last season’s top two battling it out on the final day.

Benzema’s Al Ittihad will host the first meeting with Al Nassr on either 14 or 16 December 2023 before Ronaldo’s men take on last season’s champions at Al Awal Park on Matchday 34, the final game of the sesaon, on 27 May 2024.

While many expect these two sides to be competing for next season’s Saudi Pro League title, Al Hilal are also poised to make a run for the crown and they could spoil the potential final day drama should they enjoy a stellar season.

With the two greats spending the vast majority of their club careers at Real Madrid, they haven’t faced off too many times. Benzema’s removal from the French national team for a period means he’s only lined up against Ronaldo’s Portugal three times in his international career.

Nevertheless, Benzema first clashed with his future longtime teammate in the 2007/08 Champions League round of 16 as Lyon took on Man Utd. The Frenchman scored the opener in the first leg before Carlos Tevez equalised late on, then Ronaldo bagged the decisive goal in the return leg at Old Trafford just before half-time.

The pair next clashed six years later while representing their respective nations in a friendly in the wake of the 2014 World Cup. The French were victorious with Benzema opening the scoring after three minutes. Neither were on the scoresheet as France claimed victory in a 2015 friendly before the spoils were shared in their most recent meeting at Euro 2020.

Ronaldo scored two penalties either side of a Benzema brace, one of which came from the spot, in a 2-2 draw.

Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr head-to-head record