MW21 Team of the Week: Bono, Benzema, Salem, Malcom, Ibanez feature!

With Matchweek 21 in the books (check out our must-read Talking Points), we bring you the best performers in their respective positions for the round, using the Roshn Saudi League’s unique Performance Index.

The explainer is just below, while you can use the filter option to select the appropriate matchweek and also select from a number of formations.

The Team of the Week below is pegged to our traditional 4-4-2.

Yassine Bono - 92

The reigning CAF Goalkeeper of the Year made it a sixth clean sheet from 12 RSL appearances this season in Al Hilal’s huge 6-0 win at Al Okhdood. Bono, the 2023-24 RSL Goalkeeper of the Year, continues to excel for the table-toppers and will be key to their title bid.

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Kalidou Koulibaly - 97

Having recently lifted a second Africa Cup of Nations crown with Senegal, the Al Hilal centre-back has returned to RSL action and barely missed a beat. Another clean sheet was the headline stat, but only three other players had more than Koulibaly’s 74 total touches.

Roger Ibanez - 94

A rock at the centre of Al Ahli’s defence, the Brazilian racked up a ninth clean sheet from 16 RSL matches this term in the 2-0 home victory against Al Hazem. At the other end, though, no one in the game had more than Ibanez’s two shots on target, nor another teammate trumped his two successful dribbles.

Mohammed Abdulrahman - 89

Alongside Ibanez at the back, the Saudi Arabian full-back continues to excel in Merih Demiral’s absence.

Abdulrahman was integral to keeping out Al Hazem (and returning RSL all-time top scorer Omar Al Somah) while he provided more crosses than anyone on the pitch (five) and matched Ibanez for successful dribbles (two) among the hosts.

Abdulelah Al Amri - 89

Captain in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence, the Al Nassr centre-back kept out the RSL champions in a massive 2-0 home victory for Jorge Jesus' side.

Al Amri, competing against the team he helped last season to the league title, contributed more good long balls than anyone at Al Awwal Park (seven) as the hosts keep right on Al Hilal’s coattails at the summit.

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Salem Al Dawsari - 98

The first of Al Hilal’s trio of midfielders this week, the reigning AFC Asian Player of the Year starred once more in the mammoth victory at Al Okhdood. Salem added the visitors’ fifth and sixth goals of the night, while he also teed up new teammate Karim Benzema for a goal. A captain’s performance.

Al Hilal captain Salem Al Dawsari scores twice in the 6-0 win at Okhdood

Nasser Al Dawsari - 96

Salem’s namesake is often one of the unheralded components of Simone Inzaghi’s midfield (although not with us!), but this was simply another of his excellent displays in blue.

Nasser created the opener upon which Benzema capitalised, highlighting a contribution that included a game-high three lay-offs and tackles won (two).

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - 93

Rounding off the league leaders’ triumvirate, the Al Hilal midfielder might not have contributed any goals or assists in the 6-0 win, but he showed again why he’s undoubtedly one of the RSL’s finest. Milinkovic-Savic was a constant menace, linking up superbly with Benzema and treating us to plenty of tricks and flicks.

Aschraf El Mahdioui - 93

The Al Taawoun captain helped his side to a hard-fought 1-1 draw at home to top-six rivals Al Khaleej. El Mahdioui headed the encounter in Buraidah for successful passes (78), good long balls (15) and total touches (96). His all-round game was again evident.

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Karim Benzema - 100

OK, so no surprises the former Al Ittihad double-winning captain gets full marks following an incredible debut. Benzema marked his Al Hilal bow with a hat-trick to put the RSL leaders 3-0 up at Al Okhdood before then assisting Malcom for the fourth.

He was later justifiably named Man of the Match. And yes, Benzema was right to be “very happy” after an introduction for the ages.

Malcom - 100

Benzema’s partner in crime in Najran, the Brazilian concluded the game with a goal and a hat-trick of assists. As mentioned, Malcom notched Al Hilal’s fourth before then laying on their fifth and sixth as the 2023-24 champions sent out a rather emphatic statement of intent.