Mitrovic Hints at a Roaring Saudi Pro League as Serbia Prep for a World Cup 2026 Showdown

Mitrovic on the rising Saudi Pro League

Serbian striker Alexander Mitrovic, formerly with Al Hilal and now with Al Rayyan, offered revealing comments ahead of Serbia's friendly against Saudi Arabia as both nations ramp up preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He framed the clash as a glimpse into how the Saudi Pro League is evolving and how that evolution is shaping players and the national team.

Mitrovic spent the 2023-24 season with Al Hilal before leaving in 2025 when his contract was terminated and he joined Rayyan on a free transfer.

Youth minutes versus star power

In the press conference before the Saudi game, he noted that the Saudi Pro League is growing very quickly and that the league’s strength uplifts both players and the national team. He said, “When you train with players the calibre of Karim Benzema, Sergej Savić, Malcolm, Salem Al-Dosari, and Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s natural to improve day by day—there’s no doubt about that.”

Mitrovic also addressed a broader concern: promising young talents do not get enough minutes because there are too many stars, which could hinder their development. He added that the league is improving, but the national team may not reap equal benefits due to limited opportunities for young players to shine on game day.

He wrapped up by noting that the abundance of foreign players in the Saudi league reduces chances for domestic youngsters, though the overall trajectory remains upward year after year.

The match details linger as a practical backdrop: Serbia versus Saudi Arabia is part of the friendly program ahead of the World Cup 2026, with a schedule that places the clash on March 31, 2026 at 18:00 local time. Beyond the scoreboard, Mitrovic’s comments highlight a league in transition and a national team navigating the benefits and drawbacks of rapid growth.

Also noted in his remarks were reflections on the broader development of Saudi football, including how the league’s progress may influence youth prospects and long-term national-team performance. He emphasized that while the league is advancing, questions remain about how best to cultivate homegrown talent amid the influx of international stars.

Punchline time: if minutes were calories, young players would hire Mitrovic as a personal trainer. Punchline two: the Saudi league’s rise is so swift that even the scoreboard is filing for a longer-term contract.