During a recent conversation with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo made a bold declaration regarding the influx of elite footballers to the Saudi Pro League. The Portuguese star asserted that his own move to the league was the catalyst that encouraged other high-profile players to follow.
Ronaldo stated, “I will speak at the end of the season about many genuine matters. I was the pioneer who came to this league, and the others arrived because of me. They need to show respect for the referees; even when they err, they are only human and mistakes happen.”
Since Ronaldo’s arrival, the Saudi Pro League has attracted a host of renowned names, including Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez, and Ivan Toney. The Portuguese star’s comments came in the aftermath of Al-Nassr’s 2–0 victory over Al-Ahli on Wednesday.
Ronaldo’s claim underscores his belief in his influence on the global football landscape, positioning himself as the driving force behind the league’s rising profile and its ability to draw top talent from around the world.