Top News

Mexico’s Julian Quinones, representing Al-Qadsiah, produced a stunning upset to capture the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot, surpassing both Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney in a dramatic season finale. The Mexican striker delivered when it mattered most, storming to the top of the scoring charts on the final day of the campaign.

Al-Qadsiah star secures top scorer honour

In a twist that few foresaw at the beginning of the season, Quinones has officially been crowned the leading scorer of the Saudi Pro League. The Mexico international put on a remarkable display in Al-Qadsiah’s final match against Al-Ittihad, netting a brilliant hat-trick in a commanding 5-1 victory. That performance took his season total to 33 goals, propelling him to the top of the scoring table and sealing the Golden Boot.

Heading into the final round, Quinones had 30 goals to his name, trailing Ivan Toney who led with 32, while Cristiano Ronaldo sat on 26. The former Club América forward, who joined Al-Qadsiah in the summer of 2024, saved his best for last. His three goals against Al-Ittihad lifted him past both rivals to end the campaign as the league’s top scorer with 33 goals.

European icons left behind

Quinones’ triumph becomes even more impressive considering the elite company he outperformed. His 33-goal haul denied Ronaldo a third straight Golden Boot in Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese legend did his part by scoring twice in Al-Nassr’s 4-1 win over Damac to finish the season with 28 goals, helping his side clinch the league title. However, his efforts were not enough to match the Mexican’s prolific finish.

The Golden Boot battle remained tight until the very end, with Ivan Toney, formerly of Brentford and now spearheading Al-Ahli’s attack, ending in second place with 32 goals. Toney failed to score in his final appearance against Al-Khaleej, which allowed Quinones to overtake him in the standings at the last possible moment.

Ronaldo’s record remains untouched

Even though Ronaldo missed out on the individual honour this season, he still holds one of the league’s most celebrated records. The Al-Nassr captain continues to own the benchmark for the highest number of goals in a single Saudi Pro League season.

Neither Quinones nor Toney could surpass Ronaldo’s iconic tally of 35 goals from the 2023-24 campaign, achieved in just 31 matches. That record remains the definitive benchmark for strikers across the Saudi top flight.

Boost for Mexico ahead of the World Cup

For Quinones, this personal milestone couldn’t have come at a better time. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the striker has sent a clear signal to Mexico’s head coach Javier Aguirre about his readiness to shine on the international stage. His ability to dominate in a league filled with world-class defenders suggests he could play a key role for El Tri in the upcoming global tournament.