Mourad Batna Closes in on Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League Free-Kick Rankings
Al-Fateh winger Mourad Batna is moving within reach of Cristiano Ronaldo in one of the Saudi Roshn League’s most distinctive scoring charts. The Moroccan playmaker’s dramatic stoppage-time free-kick against Al-Hazem not only completed a remarkable comeback but also brought him closer to the league’s leading set-piece specialists.
Al-Fateh had been trailing 2-1 away from home in Thursday’s ninth-round fixture, but turned the match around in the closing stages to claim a 3-2 victory. Batna played a part in the team’s first two goals before taking responsibility for the decisive moment himself, striking a powerful free-kick from the side of the penalty area and sending the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
A late winner with added significance
The goal was more than a dramatic finish to a hard-fought match. According to Opta statistics, Batna has now scored five free-kicks in the Saudi Roshn League since joining Al-Fateh in the 2020-21 season. That total places him among the division’s most productive free-kick takers over the period.
Batna is level with Tunisia’s Saad Bguir, who has also scored five league free-kicks since the start of that season. Only two players are ahead of them: Ronaldo and Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca, both of whom have scored six. One more successful free-kick would therefore move Batna level with the pair at the top of the rankings.
The comparison is a notable milestone for the Al-Fateh star. Ronaldo’s reputation as a prolific scorer from direct free-kicks is well established, while Talisca has also been a major attacking threat during his time in Saudi football. Batna’s position alongside Bguir—and just one goal behind the leaders—highlights his consistency from dead-ball situations.
How Batna helped turn the match around
Al-Fateh’s win at Al-Hazem was built on persistence as much as individual quality. With the visitors behind 2-1, Batna helped create the goals that brought his side back into contention. He then delivered the decisive strike in stoppage time, transforming a difficult away fixture into a valuable three-point result.
Late comebacks can have an impact beyond the league table. They can strengthen a team’s belief, reward players for maintaining their attacking intent and put pressure on opponents who are unable to protect a lead. For Al-Fateh, the result offered all three benefits, while Batna’s contribution underlined how influential he can be when the match is on the line.
His performance also illustrated the value of set pieces in tightly contested football. When open-play chances are limited, a well-delivered free-kick can change the momentum of a game in an instant. Batna’s strike was especially effective because it came late, when Al-Hazem had little time to respond and Al-Fateh could celebrate a comeback victory.
A specialist threat for Al-Fateh
Free-kick scoring depends on more than power. Players must judge the distance and angle, choose whether to curl or drive the ball, and read the goalkeeper’s positioning. Batna’s latest goal showed the confidence to take on that responsibility in a high-pressure moment. His record since arriving at Al-Fateh suggests that the threat is not a one-off, but a recurring part of his attacking game.
That skill can also influence how opponents defend. A team facing a dangerous free-kick taker may be more cautious when challenging near the penalty area, potentially giving the attacking side greater freedom to carry the ball forward. Batna’s reputation from set pieces could therefore create opportunities even when he is not the one taking the final shot.
For Al-Fateh, having a player capable of producing a goal from a dead-ball situation adds an important dimension to the attack. It gives the team another route to scoring and can prove particularly valuable in close matches, where a single moment of technical quality may decide the result.
What comes next in the free-kick race?
Batna’s next target is clear: score once more from a free-kick and he will join Ronaldo and Talisca on six goals in the Opta ranking covering the period since the 2020-21 season. Reaching that mark would place the Moroccan among the most effective direct free-kick scorers in the Saudi Roshn League during the timeframe.
That prospect adds an intriguing storyline to Al-Fateh’s upcoming fixtures. Every foul conceded within shooting range could offer Batna another chance to close the gap. There is no guarantee that the next opportunity will arrive immediately, but his record means opponents will have reason to treat any set piece near their penalty area with care.
For supporters following the league, Batna’s pursuit also provides an engaging point of comparison with two of Saudi football’s best-known attacking names. Ronaldo and Talisca currently share the lead, while Batna and Bguir are close behind. The standings may change with a single strike, making the free-kick chart a compelling subplot as the season continues.
Prediction: Batna has a realistic chance to catch the leaders
Based on his established record and his influence in Al-Fateh’s attack, a reasonable prediction is that Batna will have further opportunities to challenge the top two. Whether he matches Ronaldo and Talisca will depend on the number of suitable free-kicks he earns and his ability to convert them, but the gap is small enough to keep the race alive.
His latest goal has already shown that he can deliver under pressure. More importantly for Al-Fateh, the strike secured a comeback win rather than merely improving a statistic. Batna’s combination of creativity, set-piece quality and late-game composure makes him a player to watch as the Roshn League campaign develops—and his next free-kick could bring him level with Ronaldo and Talisca.
