Cristiano Ronaldo Influence

Carlo Nohra, the head of operations for the Saudi Pro League, asserts that Cristiano Ronaldo's presence has had a monumental impact on the league's trajectory. "The addition of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Arabian football scene has not only expanded the league's global reach, broadcasting its matches to 140 countries, but it has also generated a remarkable surge in league revenue, accounting for a staggering 650% increase," he explained.

The renowned Portuguese star made his move from Manchester United in November 2022 following a falling out with manager Erik ten Hag. Ronaldo's decision to join Al-Nassr marked the beginning of a significant shift, with other top European talents subsequently opting to make

the move to the Middle East.

Addressing the media in a press conference prior to Portugal's Euro 2024 qualifier against Slovakia, Ronaldo claimed credit for attracting these high-profile players to the Saudi Pro League during the summer transfer window, confidently suggesting that the league's growth will continue in the coming years.

"As I emphasized six months ago - a statement that was met with scepticism at the time - it has now become commonplace to see top-tier footballers competing in the Saudi league," Cristiano Ronaldo stated. "Having been an Al-Nassr player for eight months, I had a strong belief in this transformation."

"It is an honour to be part of the cultural and sporting transformation in this country. Witnessing the influx of exceptional players to the league fills me with immense pride."

The 38-year-old Ronaldo has made a remarkable impact since joining Al-Nassr, netting 26 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions. His exceptional performance has continued into the 2023/24 season, with six goals in just four matches.

Roberto Martinez, the newly appointed Portugal national team manager, has included Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad, as Ronaldo aims to add to his impressive record of 200 caps and a record-breaking 123 international goals.

"I consider myself the trailblazer in all of this and take immense pride in my role. My aspiration is to witness the ongoing evolution of the Saudi league, not just in the present but also in the years to come. I hope to see it emerge as one of the top football leagues globally."

Neymar JR also expressed his endorsement of Ronaldo's influence in Saudi Arabia, stating, "I believe Cristiano Ronaldo initiated this transformation, and despite initial scepticism, today we witness the league's continuous growth," as Neymar shared in his first interview after joining Al-Hilal.

The Saudi Pro League has since made substantial investments, totalling over 600 million euros, in attracting numerous top players and coaches from European clubs.