According to Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League has the potential to rank among the “top-five leagues in the world” if it can draw in more star players.
Ronaldo, 38, says they are “very welcome” to follow him to Saudi Arabia. Reports have linked Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modric with potential moves to the Saudi Pro League.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Al Nassr in December. He now finished his first season there.
He has a contract to 2025 and added he “will continue here” next season. Paris St-Germain have confirmed Messi will leave the club this summer . Argentina forward, 35, has a role as a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia.
Benzema and Modric
Reports have linked Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modric with moves to the Saudi Pro League. “If they are coming, big players and big names, young players, ‘old players’, they are very welcome because if that happens. The league will improve a little bit,” Ronaldo said in an interview with the SPL.
“The league is very good but I think we have many opportunities to still grow. We have very good teams, very good Arab players.
“But they need to improve a little bit more the infrastructure. Even the referees, the VAR system, should be a little quicker.”
Manchester United ended Ronaldo’s second stint at the club last November when they mutually agreed to cancel his contract.
After becoming the only player to score in five different World Cup tournaments, he scored 14 goals in 16 games. This helped Riyadh-based Al Nassr finish second behind the champions, Al Hilal.I think other small things they need to improve,” added Ronaldo. Ronaldo holds the records for most international goals and appearances.
“But I am happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here. And in my opinion if they continue to do the work that they want to do here, for the next five years, I think the Saudi league can be a top five league in the world.”
