Ronaldo: 'Saudi League will become the 5th or 6th most competitive in the world'

Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo: 'Saudi League will become the 5th or 6th most competitive in the world'

Faruq Ibrahim 20:04 - 22.03.2023

Ronaldo said that The Saudi Pro League is set to become one of the best leagues in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who famously made an affluent move to the Saudi Pro League after a career spanning over two decades at four clubs in the top seven European leagues, has said his new hunting ground could be one of the toughest in years to come.  

The 38-year-old has had successes in Portugal, LaLiga, the Premier League, and Serie A, and he holds the scoring record in the biggest club competition in the world, the Champions League.

Setting the scene 

Ronaldo is back with the Portuguese national team after a disappointing World Cup outing in Qatar last year, where he saw his undisputed status in the starting lineup abolished.  

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal on the bench on December 10, 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal on the bench on December 10, 2022.

The World Cup followed an explosive interview with Piers Morgan that led the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to leave his boyhood club, Manchester United.

His contract was terminated by the Red Devils, and after a short period, he reached an agreement with Al-Nassr that makes him the highest-paid footballer in the world. 

The move for Ronaldo from Al Nassr's side is in promotion of the Saudi Pro League, which continues to grow from strength to strength, as only recently, Odion Ighalo's Al-Hilal reached the final of the Club World Cup, the first for a Saudi club. 

Ronaldo arrives Al-Nassr to hero's welcome, fans to pay ₦1800 to attend unveiling in Saudi Arabia

What Ronaldo said

Ronaldo, who spoke about his desire to see the league develop in his first press conference as a new signing at Al Nassr, has said he is pleasantly surprised at the rapidity of its growth. 

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer in the world in 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer in the world in 2023

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dethroned in the Top 10 Richest footballers in the world (2023)

The five-time Champions League winner admitted that the Saudi League is not at the level of the Premier League but envisages that it could be one of the top five or six leagues in the world in terms of competitiveness if they continue their current trajectory. 

“The Saudi championship is not a Premier League, but I am pleasantly surprised,” Ronaldo said, per Relevo.

“If they continue with the plan they want, in the next few years it will be the 5th or 6th most competitive league in the world."

Portugal will play Liechtenstein tomorrow in their Group J Euro 2024 qualifier. 

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