I<\/span>In a frank assessment of the current state of the Saudi Professional League (SPL), former Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdullah bin Mosad asserted that only Cristiano Ronaldo can truly justify his huge salary, and that in his view all other foreign players are overpaid.<\/p>\n“Ronaldo is the only foreign player who is worth the money he earns because of the global exposure he brings to the league and the country,” the former minister said of the Portuguese forward on Arabic channel Al Arabiya (Fi Al Marama) television program.<\/p>\n
He added: “Many others are being paid far more than they deserve.”<\/p>\n
His comments reflect widespread sentiment within the Saudi sporting leadership that Ronaldo’s transfer marks a turning point for the country’s football project.<\/p>\n
The Portuguese icon arrived at Al Nasr in January 2023 after parting ways with Manchester United following a public row with the English club.<\/p>\n
His decision to leave Europe for the Middle East became one of the most high-profile transfers in football history and signaled the Saudi Professional League’s growing ambitions.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo’s influence on the Saudi Pro League<\/h2>\n
Since joining Al Nasr, Ronaldo has been a superstar player and a global ambassador for Saudi football. His influence extended beyond the pitch, driving commercial growth, strengthening sponsorship interest and sparking a wave of new contracts across the league.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo recently signed a new two-year contract extension with Al Nasr, after completing the initial 30-month contract he signed upon arrival.<\/p>\n
His new contract makes him one of the highest-paid men in sports, with reports saying he earns around $4 million a week.<\/p>\n
This staggering figure amounts to approximately $211 million per year and more than $420 million over the life of the contract.<\/p>\n
The Saudi Pro League is home to a growing number of former European stars, including Karim Benzema, Joao Felix and Sadio Mane, among others, but Prince Abdullah suggested that no player has had the transformative effect that Ronaldo has.<\/p>\n
Neymar, who briefly joined Al Hilal before returning to Brazil, also contributed to the league’s profile, but the former minister says he still cannot match Ronaldo’s influence.<\/p>\n
“Ronaldo’s international reputation is unparalleled,” said Crown Prince Abdullah. “He’s the only foreign player with an impact commensurate with his salary level. No other player in the league has done anything like this.”<\/p>\n
The continued expansion of the Saudi Professional League remains central to the country’s long-term sports strategy, and Ronaldo’s presence has proven crucial in legitimizing its vision on the world stage.<\/p>\n
As the league looks to grow further and attract more top talent, original blockbuster signings remain the league’s most valuable asset in the eyes of many leaders in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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