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June 22, 2024
Some say that Ronaldo opened a Pandora's box when he decided to sign for Al Nassr in 2023. Several big names have followed the Portuguese superstar ever since and this summer, the trend could very well be reapeated...
There is no denying that Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia meant so much for the Gulf monarchy's sporting ambitions. Landing arguably the most famous footballer on the planet was a big statement. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner signed a two-year contract earning huge sums of money and has lit up the Saudi Pro League on numerous occasions already. Now, with transfer rumours rife, an array of stars are potentially aiming to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps and join one of Saudi Arabia's biggest clubs. As a result, the competition is only going to get even stronger in the coming months, as clubs look to snap up more talent from some of European football's biggest and best leagues.
Whether or not these players will join Ronaldo’s Al Nassr is unknown, but there will certainly be an appetite to link up with the Portuguese legend. Regardless of whether they do or not, plying their trade in the same competition as the Real Madrid hero is tempting enough. One of the greatest players the beautiful game has ever seen, Ronaldo will always be the star of the competition. For players who are considering joining the Saudi Pro League, the eyes on the action thanks to the presence of players like Cristiano Ronaldo will be a factor. Throw in the big salaries on offer and the luxurious lifestyle they can lead, and it's a no-brainer for so many footballers. So, with that in mind, let's take a look at a few names who are considering swapping life in Europe for a move to a competition that Cristiano Ronaldo is clearly the poster boy of.
Salah - Goals and assists:
With Jurgen Klopp's departure becoming a reality after winning pretty much everything he can with Liverpool, Mohamed Salah could finally seal his move to Saudi Arabia in the near future. Of course, fans will still back Liverpool for the title when it comes to betting, and they'll select numerous Reds in their fantasy football squads, but it would be a huge blow to Arne Slot's new-look side as Salah is their key man.
For Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League, though, it'd be a statement signing that would send shockwaves through the entire football world. After all, the Egyptian has scored 207 goals in 337 games for Liverpool. Additionally, this season, despite failing to hit the heights of previous campaigns, Salah still managed to bag 18 goals and register 10 assists in the Premier League, arguably the best league around.
As such, whether Salah ends up at Al Ittihad, the club who are continually linked with his signature, or he signs for Ronaldo's Al Nassr, he's a player who is clearly still capable of putting on world-class displays and delivering silverware for his new club.
Although Kevin de Bruyne will always possess the natural ability that makes him one of the best players to have ever played in English football, he is evidently on the decline. Now, aged 32, the Belgian playmaker is facing the prospect of departing his beloved Manchester City in the coming months.
Winning six Premier League titles and playing his part in a historic Champions League triumph for the club, the former Chelsea reject has achieved everything he possibly can in England’s top flight. Although the City hero has a year left on his contract, the lure of the Saudi Pro League and being able to play in a competition that Cristiano Ronaldo is the face of appears to be turning his head.
Speaking recently to Belgian broadcaster VTM about the prospect of joining the exciting project that is unfolding in Saudi Arabia, De Bruyne said: "I still have one year left on my contract, so I have to think about what could happen. My eldest son is now eight years old and knows nothing but England. He also asks how long I will play for. Once the moment comes, we will have to deal with it in a certain way. At my age you have to be open to everything. You're talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that."
Manchester City fans will certainly be fearing the worst, given those aforementioned comments, but Pep Guardiola's side will undoubtedly come again without one of their best-ever players. Meanwhile, fans in Saudi Arabia will be treated to another coup as one of European football's household names decides to follow Cristiano Ronaldo's lead.
A player who has garnered close to €350m in transfer fees over the years, a fit and firing Romelu Lukaku could prove to be a shrewd piece of business for one of Saudi Arabia's most prestigious clubs. The Belgian beast is linked with a big-money departure this summer, and he could be tempted by a lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia...
Playing on loan at Roma from Chelsea last season, the former Manchester United striker isn't at his best these days, but he has more than enough to shine in a competition that will love having him. Lukaku previously rejected a move to Al Hilal and instead opted to join one of Italian football's most esteemed clubs, but with his career on the decline and a potential opportunity to join the party in the Middle East, Belgium's goal machine could be playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the near future.
Aged 31 and with a good few years left in the game, securing the services of Romelu Lukaku could result in big returns for the club he decides to join. After all, while his peak years are undoubtedly behind him, he's a player who still managed to find the back of the net 13 times in one of the toughest leagues around this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Portugal is on June 22, against Turkey for the EURO 2024. You can watch Turkey vs Portugal, Georgia vs Czech Republic, Albania vs Spain, Scotland vs Hungary, Belgium vs Romania and Switzerland vs Germany, all matches provided from our live soccer game pages.
Portugal next game:
Turkey vs Portugal kick-off time (22-06-2024):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 00:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 21:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+3: 19:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+2: 15:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+1: 14:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 13:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-3: 13:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-6: 10:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / aljazeera.com / egypttoday.com
