How many people followed the Saudi Pro League before Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival? This is the question posed by German and Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos. Perhaps more bluntly, Kroos suggests that hardly anyone had even heard of the league prior to Ronaldo’s transfer.
So why is Kroos suddenly commenting on the Saudi League? The answer lies in the ongoing tensions between Ronaldo and the league’s management.
The Portuguese superstar has missed Al Nassr’s last two matches, reportedly due to frustration with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). While Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr, PIF also owns three other top Saudi clubs: Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli. Ronaldo believes that in the transfer market, PIF is giving more attention and resources to rival clubs like Al Hilal than to Al Nassr. Recently, PIF approved the transfer of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal, further fuelling Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction.
Following his public expressions of discontent, the Saudi Pro League issued a stern reminder. Their statement emphasised: “The Saudi Pro League’s structure is clear. Each club operates independently under the same regulations… No individual, regardless of their stature, can make decisions outside their own club.”
Even in top European leagues, former teammates would find such treatment unusual. Speaking to Portuguese media outlet O Jogo via his podcast, Kroos said: “The Saudi League is very peculiar. Before Cristiano Ronaldo arrived, hardly anyone knew about it. And now, they are disrespecting the very player who has put their league on the footballing map. Once Ronaldo leaves, this league will lose its appeal. Without him, no one will watch the Saudi League.”
Kroos, a World Cup-winning midfielder, enjoyed an impressive four-year spell with Ronaldo at Real Madrid. During that period, the duo played 170 matches together, contributing to 16 goals and sharing 14,009 minutes on the pitch. Together, they won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles and multiple La Liga trophies.
Ronaldo has now returned to Al Nassr’s training sessions, but he will not feature in tomorrow’s AFC Champions League match against Turkmenistan’s Arkadag. Al Nassr is hopeful that he will return for the Saudi Pro League clash against Al Fateh on 14 February.
Ronaldo’s current contract with Al Nassr runs until June 2027. This season, the 41-year-old forward has scored 17 goals in 18 league matches, making him the league’s top scorer. His release clause is £4.3 million, and his daily earnings at the club are approximately £400,000 (around 6.66 crore BDT). Reports suggest he could leave Al Nassr in the upcoming summer transfer window, potentially moving to a European club or Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.
Ronaldo’s Recent Performance Summary
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Saudi Pro League Matches (Current Season) | 18 |
| Goals Scored | 17 |
| Age | 41 |
| Contract Expiry | June 2027 |
| Release Clause | £4.3 million |
| Daily Earnings | £400,000 (~6.66 crore BDT) |
| Matches Played with Kroos at Real Madrid | 170 |
| Goals Involved Together | 16 |
| Minutes Played Together | 14,009 |
| Champions League Titles | 3 |
| La Liga Titles | 3 |
Ronaldo’s presence has undoubtedly transformed the Saudi Pro League into a global spectacle. As Kroos warns, the league’s popularity may not survive without him at the forefront.