October 2, 2023
Ronaldo's transfer to Al Nassr reinvigorated his career and significantly boosted the Saudi Pro League's global profile. The move led to a surge in revenue for the club and league, attracted international stars like Neymar and Benzema, and increased worldwide attention to Saudi football...
When Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia from Manchester United, many people considered it a grave mistake — one which was set to lead to the fated yet painful end to his career. But in a surprising twist of events, this unpopular decision led to better results for Cristiano Ronaldo, football fans, and his newfound club. The ground-breaking deal, which saw Ronaldo rake in an astounding $75 million yearly, is definitely a success. It has not only rekindled the seemingly dying CR7's career but has also positioned the Saudi Pro League in the following ways.
Cristiano Ronaldo - A talent that has no age:
In the wake of Ronaldo's move, financial benefits for both Al Nassr and the Saudi Arabian League have skyrocketed. Revenue has increased dramatically, thanks to the surge in merchandise sales, ticket purchases, and brand endorsements now associated with the club and the league.
Subsequently, this boost in financial influx has helped enhance the game's quality, further explaining why even some of the best football betting sites focus more on the Saudi Pro League.
Interestingly, the arrival of Ronaldo also sparked an influx of other star players like Sadio Mane, Alex Telles, Aymeric Laporte, and Marcelo Brozovic to Al Nassr. This rapid accumulation of talent has further solidified Al Nassr's position in the international football arena.
In the last summer transfer window, just ending a few months ago, other star players also joined other clubs in the Saudi Pro League. This mass exodus, especially from Europe, was so loud that the football fraternity, including the media and pundits, raised concern.
But Ronaldo was already there, and seemingly, he was enjoying the beautiful game again. With Ronaldo setting the pace, the following players joined various clubs within the Saudi Pro League:
• Al Ahli: Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy, Allan Saint-Maximin
• Al Ettifaq: Jordan Henderson, Moussa Dembele, Georginio Wijnaldum
• Al Hilal: Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Neymar, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
• Al Ittihad: N'Golo Kante, Fabinho, Karim Benzema, Jota
The league's competitiveness has been radically improved, with some of the clubs organizing friendlies with teams from Europe, further raising the stature and standard of the Saudi Pro League.
Beyond the immediate financial and sporting benefits, Ronaldo's move attracted global attention to the league, winning fans far and wide. Suddenly, everyone is interested in Saudi football, which has led to unprecedented international exposure for the league and all the associated clubs.
The ripple effect of this football renaissance has been felt even beyond the sporting confines. The bustling economy of Saudi Arabia has received a further boost, with the tourism sector benefiting from the surge of visiting football fans and enthusiasts. The country's global branding and soft power have also seen considerable enhancement.
Undoubtedly, the arrival of Ronaldo and subsequent big names like Neymar and Benzema has set the stage for even more impressive gains in the Saudi Arabia football. When history is written, Cristiano Ronaldo's name will be at the top, a stark testimony to his determination for success and passion for football. Indeed, even considering the number of goals he has scored, he still carries the badge of honor as one of the Greatest Of All Time.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on October 6 for the Saudi Pro League, against Abha. You can watch Al Nassr vs Abha, Napioli vs Real Madrid, FC Porto vs Barcelona, Manchester United vs Galatasaray, Lens vs Arsenal and Inter vs Benfica, all matches provided from our sports streaming game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Nassr vs Abha kick-off time (06-10-2023):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 23:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 20:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+3: 18:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+2: 17:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+1: 16:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 12:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 11:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 08:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / france24.com / bbc.com
