Ivan Toney Declares Saudi Pro League a Premier League Equal, Al-Ahli a Top-Four Contender

Ivan Toney has ignited a fierce debate in the football world by asserting that the Saudi Pro League stands “on par” with the English Premier League. The bold claim comes as Toney reflects on his successful first season in Saudi Arabia, where he joined Al-Ahli in August 2024 on a three-year contract. Toney's assertion goes beyond mere parity, suggesting that his team, Al-Ahli, would not only compete but thrive in the Premier League, potentially securing a coveted top-four finish.

“For me, [the Pro League] is on a par with the Premier League,” Toney stated in an interview with The Guardian. “If [Al-Ahli] were in the Premier League, we’d give it a good go, and we’d be close to the top four.”

Toney’s confidence stems from his experiences playing in the rapidly developing Saudi Pro League. The former Brentford striker enjoyed a prolific season, netting an impressive 30 goals, with 23 of those coming in league play. His contributions extended beyond individual accolades, as he played a pivotal role in Al-Ahli's triumph in the AFC Champions League. Toney further demonstrated his composure and skill by converting one of Al-Ahli’s penalties in their dramatic 5-3 shootout victory over Al-Nassr in the Saudi Super Cup, a match that ended 2-2 after regular time.

Toney is not the first high-profile figure to laud the quality of the Saudi Pro League. Cristiano Ronaldo, who made the move to Al-Nassr in January 2023, previously declared the Saudi top flight a superior competition to France’s Ligue 1. Toney readily aligns himself with Ronaldo’s assessment, acknowledging the Portuguese superstar's extensive experience and global perspective. "Ronaldo has been around the world and probably knows a lot more than me, as I have only played in the Premier League, the Championship and Leagues One and Two,” Toney admitted.

The influx of world-class talent and significant investment has undeniably elevated the Saudi Pro League’s profile and competitiveness. While some critics may dismiss the league as a retirement home for aging stars, Toney argues that the standard of play is genuinely high and that many players are capable of excelling in the Premier League. He points to Al-Hilal's victory over Manchester City at the Club World Cup as evidence of the Saudi Pro League's growing strength. “We saw Al-Hilal play against Manchester City and beat them [at the Club World Cup],” Toney noted.

Toney’s personal achievements in his debut season further fuel his optimism. He finished second in the race for the Golden Boot, narrowly missing out to Ronaldo, who claimed the award for the second consecutive year. Despite the strong competition, Toney is determined to surpass Ronaldo and claim the top scorer title in the upcoming season. "This season, I am hoping to take first spot, and hopefully that will help the team and win games and get where we need to be,” he stated.

His impressive form in Saudi Arabia has not gone unnoticed by the England national team. Toney earned a call-up under Thomas Tuchel for the June internationals, although he was subsequently omitted from the squad for the September fixtures. Undeterred, Toney remains focused on securing a place in England’s World Cup squad next year. He believes that performing well in the Saudi Pro League is sufficient to earn international recognition. "If you are good enough, you are good enough; it doesn’t matter where you are playing in the world. As long as you are doing the right things and scoring goals, then you give yourself a chance,” Toney concluded.

Toney’s comments are sure to generate further debate about the merits of the Saudi Pro League and its potential to rival the established European leagues. Whether his claims prove accurate remains to be seen, but his conviction underscores the growing confidence and ambition within Saudi Arabian football.