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August 9, 2024
RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo’s prediction that the Saudi Pro League would rank among the top five in the world in a few years, just months after moving to Al-Nassr, caused some people to take notice. Recent events have demonstrated that his comments are spot on.
“(The) Saudi league is getting better, and the next year will be even better,” he told Saudi sports channel SSC toward the end of last season.
“Step-by-step, I think this league will be among the top five leagues in the world but they need time, players and infrastructure. But I believe that this country has amazing potential. “
Since then, he has confidently reiterated this opinion, and each time he does, his belief appears to be more and more supported and true.
Ronaldo reiterated his remarks on July 18 while in Spain for his preseason training camp with his Al-Nassr colleagues. He vowed to follow through with his Saudi adventure and swiftly rejected other European leagues and Major League Soccer in the United States, which is now home to his adversary Lionel Messi.
“Europe has lost a lot of quality,” he said. “The only one that is one of the best is the (English) Premier League. It’s way ahead of all the other leagues from my point of view.”
“The Spanish league lost its level, the Portuguese one is not a top one, the German has also lost a lot of quality. The USA? No, the Saudi championship is much better than the USA.”
Ronaldo predicted that a “few years” would come true sooner rather than later, considering the number of significant recent acquisitions of elite international players by Saudi Arabia’s best teams during the summer transfer window.
Karim Benzema from Real Madrid to Al-Ittihad; Sadio Mane from Bayern Munich to Al-Nassr; Riyadh Mahrez from Manchester City to Al-Ahli; N’Golo Kante from Chelsea to Al-Ittihad;
Reuben Neves from Wolves to Al-Hilal; Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio to Al-Hilal; and the trio of Fabinho, Roberto Firmino, and Jordan Henderson from Liverpool to Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ettifaq, respectively, are some of the notable transfers from Europe to the Kingdom.
There are many more, as new players are signing contracts from overseas daily.
Something genuinely revolutionary has happened in Saudi football. It is, without a doubt, the biggest story in the world of football following the historic summer 2023 transfer window.
Naturally, throughout the previous few years, the Saudi Pro League has already featured several outstanding foreign players, both past and present. Some of the most successful and well-liked players in the SPL are Bafetimbi Gomis of Al-Hilal, Talisca of Al-Nassr, and Abderrazak Hamdallah of Al-Ittihad, to mention a few.
Ronaldo’s arrival in Riyadh on December 31, 2022, redefined the landscape of Saudi football. Once merely a rumor, his move to Al-Nassr after leaving Manchester United altered perceptions of the Saudi Pro League overnight. This came shortly after Saudi Arabia’s stunning 2-1 victory at the 2022 World Cup over Argentina, signaling that the Kingdom was serious about becoming a footballing powerhouse.
The ripple effect was immediate. Top players, fans, and international media began to take notice. Saudi Arabia’s clubs, now privatized and backed by the Public Investment Fund, have gained the financial muscle to attract world-class players at the peak of their careers, even from some of the wealthiest clubs globally.
Interest in the Roshn Saudi League has surged globally. Major international broadcasters have joined the movement, including DAZN, which secured exclusive UK rights, and YouTube’s Canal Goat for Brazil.
In Italy, free-to-air channel LA7 will also air matches. DAZN plans to stream three games per week, kicking off with Al-Ahli vs. Al-Hazm, while Sky Sports had already picked up mid-season broadcast rights last year. DAZN’s commitment to the 2024 season reflects the league’s growing prominence.
The rapid developments in Saudi football, alongside the Middle Eastern and Asian football scene, promise to reshape the landscape dramatically in the coming years. While the excitement surrounding the Saudi Pro League (SPL) is undeniable, it brings challenges that need careful management.
The broader impact is positive—transforming the SPL into a league of global significance—but ensuring long-term success for Saudi football requires strategic oversight. The health of the game in the Kingdom hinges on balancing the needs of its clubs, national team, and the development of homegrown talent.
The current wave of high-profile signings has been relentless, raising questions about when the spending spree will slow down. With the Saudi transfer window closing on September 7—one week after Europe’s window shuts—Premier League clubs have expressed concerns about potentially losing players without being able to replace them. Even beyond this deadline, the market for player transfers will remain fluid, as some clubs are still looking to fill their foreign player quotas.
Another critical issue is the potential widening gap between the SPL’s elite clubs and its smaller teams. Authorities have reassured that support will be offered to smaller clubs, with specific projects planned to ensure they are not left behind.
A pressing concern is the impact of foreign players on the development of young Saudi talent. The influx of international stars may overshadow opportunities for local players, hindering their progress and limiting the future of Saudi football’s grassroots development. Careful planning will ensure the SPL’s rise benefits not just its top teams but the entire football ecosystem in the Kingdom.
To assuage those concerns, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the SPL have developed a plan that encourages competition both on and off the field. New rules are being implemented to give young Saudi athletes more playing time. They include lowering the eligibility age from 18 to 16 and mandating that, starting with the 2025–2026 season, squads include 10 players under 21 and 25 senior players.
The next generation of Saudi football talent is being nurtured, a policy that Al-Ettifaq coach Steven Gerrard and new signing Jordan Henderson, both former Liverpool captains, have thrown their support behind.
“At Ettifaq we have a lot of promising young talent who have a bright future,” said Gerrard. “And I am really proud to be the coach of the team. Hopefully, I can help support these players and help develop them into better players in the future.”
At least for the time being, Saudi football remains an upbeat environment. The momentous kickoff of the 2023–24 season on Friday is much anticipated by both new and existing SPL supporters.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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