SAUDI PRO LEAGUE
Ronaldo says Saudi league could become top five in the world
Portuguese soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Saudi Pro League he joined this season could in time become one of the top five leagues in the world.
The Portugal skipper joined Al-Nassr in January on a contract estimated by some media reports to be worth more than 200 million euros ($220.16 million).
Ronaldo has played in three of the world’s top leagues with stints at Real Madrid in Spain’s La Liga, Manchester United in the English Premier League and Juventus in Italy’s Serie A.
The 38-year-old said the quality of the Saudi competition had improved even in his short time in it.
“We are much better and the Saudi league is getting better and the next year will be even better,” he told Saudi SSC channel on Tuesday.
“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 have amazing potential, they have amazing people and the league will be great in my opinion,” he added.
The Saudis do not lack ambition and a source told Reuters earlier this month that Riyadh club Al-Hilal had made a formal offer to secure the services of Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s rival for the title of best player of his generation.
Ronaldo scored a stunning winner on Tuesday as Al-Nassr fought back to beat visitors Al-Shabab 3-2 and put Al-Ittihad’s Saudi Pro League title celebrations on hold
-Reuters
Al-Nassr appointed Portuguese Jorge Jesus as coach on Monday, two months after he left their bitter Saudi Pro-League rivals Al-Hilal.
The 70-year-old won the domestic treble in his second stint with Riyadh-based Al-Hilal in the 2023-2024 season, but left the club in May after they lost in the AFC Champions League elite semi-finals to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.
“It’s official Mr. Jorge Jesus is the new coach of Al-Nassr” the Saudi club posted on X. The former Copa Libertadores winner with Brazil’s Flamengo, who replaces Italian Stefano Pioli, has signed a one-year contract with Al-Nassr.
Nine-times Saudi champions Al-Nassr have extended the contract of 40-year-old five-times Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo until 2027.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year contract extension with Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League side said on Thursday, which will keep the Portugal forward at the club past his 42nd birthday.
Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2022 after leaving Manchester United to become a free agent, has scored 93 goals in 105 appearances for them in all competitions.
“”A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together,” Ronaldo said in a post on X.
Ronaldo arrived in Al Nassr on a two-and-a-half-year contract soon after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
That made him the highest-paid athlete in the world and he has topped the list for the last three years, according to Forbes.
At the age of 40, Ronaldo’s estimated total earnings are around $275 million.
He has shown few signs of slowing down, with the forward leading Portugal to a second UEFA Nations League title this month when they beat neighbours Spain in the final.
Ronaldo is also eyeing the 1,000-goal milestone in his career. He has scored 794 goals in club football and 138 for Portugal to take his tally to 932.
His arrival in Saudi Arabia opened the floodgates for several high-profile players based in Europe to make the switch to the SPL, such as Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema.
Although Ronaldo has won the Arab Club Champions Cup with Al Nassr, he has been unable to guide them to the SPL title, with their best finish being runners-up in 2022-23 and 2023-24. They finished third last season.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Cristiano Ronaldo indicated on May 26 that he could leave Al-Nassr, after declaring that a “chapter is over” hours after the conclusion of the Saudi Pro League season.
The 40-year-old Portuguese striker joined Al-Nassr in 2022 from Manchester United and his contract with the Saudi club ends this summer.
A special transfer window runs from June 1 to 10 to allow the 32 clubs involved in the Club World Cup to sign players. Al-Nassr are not at the Club World Cup unlike fellow Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino last week said “there are discussions” over the former United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon star playing at the expanded tournament in the United States starting on June 14.
This could mean that he could sign for a new club before then.
“This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all,” Ronaldo cryptically said on social media with a photo of him in an Al-Nassr shirt.
According to Arab news outlet Al-Yaum, Al-Nassr had reportedly offered him a new contract that would slash salary by more than half – Ronaldo currently holds the world’s highest football salary at around €200 million (S$292 million) annually.
Al-Yaum reported that Al-Nassr’s new proposal includes a 52 per cent pay cut, reducing his annual earnings to €96 million. In exchange, the club offered Ronaldo a 5 per cent ownership stake in the team, along with additional investment benefits in Saudi Arabia.
The team lost in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League in April to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale and finished third in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo is the league’s top scorer with 25 goals.
In 2024, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he could end his career with Al-Nassr.
Meanwhile, his great rival Lionel Messi will play at the Club World Cup with Inter Miami.
During a recent interview with YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, Infantino said: “And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup.
“There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup… who knows, who knows.”
It remains to be seen where Ronaldo’s future lies.
Just last week, a source close to Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca said they are not in talks to sign him. Spanish outlet Marca reported that Wydad were hoping to sign the forward to lead their attack at the Club World Cup.
“It was just a friendly talk between Wydad’s president and an agent close to Ronaldo, without going beyond informal discussions,” the source told Reuters.
-Reuters/AFP
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers