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January 14, 2024

Nacho of Real Madrid: Ronaldo’s impact could make the SPL “one of the best leagues in the world.” – Saudi Pro League

The captain of Los Blancos spoke before the Spanish Super Cup final between Los Blancos and Barcelona in Riyadh, where Ronaldo is currently based with Al Nassr.

Nacho, the captain of Real Madrid, is confident that the influence of his former teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, on Saudi Arabian football will make the Saudi Pro League one of the best leagues globally.

Ronaldo, one of the greatest football players ever, has paved the way for the Saudi Pro League (SPL) with his two-and-a-half-year deal with Al Nassr. His influence is set to transform the SPL into one of the best leagues globally. This exciting prospect should ignite the passion of football fans worldwide.

Ever since the Portuguese celebrity, 38, entered the kingdom a year ago, several prominent players have moved to Saudi Arabia, largely thanks to the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which assumed majority control of the four largest clubs in the league.

Ronaldo has joined former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte and forward Sadio Mane from Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Other newcomers to Nassr include Brazilian sensation Neymar and Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves. Champions Al Ittihad signed former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Al Ahli signed Algerian forward Riyad Mahrez, and former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.

According to the director of football, Michael Emenalo, the recruitment of established players is just one aspect of a larger plan to make the league one of the top five in the world. This strategic vision, revealed to The National, should instill hope in the hearts of football enthusiasts.

As a player and league ambassador, Ronaldo’s presence has been essential to raising awareness of the SPL, and according to Nacho, the record goalscorer for Real Madrid has had an “obvious” impact.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players in the history of the world,” Nacho said ahead of Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup final against rivals Barcelona in Riyadh.

“He was my teammate at Real Madrid, and his impact is huge wherever he plays. His impact on the Saudi League was very clear after he came, and many of the world’s best players followed to the kingdom. The Saudi League in the coming years will be one of the best leagues.”

The Spanish Super Cup, traditionally a one-time match, was redesigned after a long-term agreement was reached between the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the kingdom. It is now played in Saudi Arabia every January and features four teams competing in a knockout format. Real Madrid, the victors of two of the three Super Cups hosted in Saudi Arabia, are set to face Barcelona in the final, a match that promises to be a thrilling showdown.

Real Madrid, the victors of two of the three Super Cups hosted in Saudi Arabia, defeated Atletico Madrid 5-3 in extra time to advance to the final, where they will take on Barcelona on Sunday night.

Real Madrid is filled with optimism about the opportunity to avenge their previous year’s loss to Barcelona in the Super Cup final. Nacho, the 33-year-old defender, is confident in his team’s ability to win at Al-Awwal Park, making the upcoming match a highly anticipated and intense event that will surely excite football fans.

“[It] will be a very important day for us to win a new championship,” the 33-year-old defender said. “We need this championship, and what happened last season is in the past. We have a perfect lineup, we are leading the league, and we are performing well in the Champions League, so we have no excuse not to win this championship tomorrow.

“We must give everything to win this championship. Barca is very strong, as always, and history tells us this. It will be a strong blow if we lose the first championship of the season.”

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