No swag, but Al-Nassr’s Ronaldo puts swagger in Saudi football
1 year, 6 months ago

No swag, but Al-Nassr’s Ronaldo puts swagger in Saudi football

The Hindu  

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first season in Saudi Arabia ended with a whimper, but with hundreds of millions in wages and unprecedented attention on Saudi football, he may not be the last megastar to grace the oil-rich kingdom. Ronaldo scored 14 goals including five penalties but it was a “disappointing season” for the Riyadh club, said Moqbel Al-Zabni, editor-in-chief of the Saudi capital’s Al Riyadiah newspaper. According to a source close to the negotiations, the major oil exporter is also about to land a “huge” deal for Ronaldo’s ex-La Liga sparring partner Lionel Messi, the World Cup-winning Argentine icon. After mistakenly calling the country “South Africa” when he was first welcomed at Al Nassr, last week he backed the Saudi Pro League to become one of the best in the world. After Al Nassr drew against a modest Al Khaleej outfit two weeks ago, fan Mubarak Al-Shehri lashed out at Ronaldo’s “bad and incomprehensible performance”.

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History of this topic

WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo stops security to take selfie with fan after Saudi Pro League game
3 weeks, 3 days ago

WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo stops security to take selfie with fan after Saudi Pro League game

The Hindu  

Cristiano Ronaldo looked very amicable during the Saudi Pro League match against Damac as his side Al Nassr rode on his brace to win the match 2-0 at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Friday. Ronaldo scored from the spot and from open play, taking his tally to 915 career goals and helping his side climb three spots in the …

Ronaldo scores two goals as Al Nassr win AFC Champions League tie in Qatar
4 weeks ago

Ronaldo scores two goals as Al Nassr win AFC Champions League tie in Qatar

Al Jazeera  

Portuguese star draws 37,000 fans of all ages, nationalities and footballing loyalties to Al Bayt Stadium as Al Nassr beat Al Gharafa 3-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite. The Portuguese superstar, 39, and his Saudi football club Al Nassr were in town to face Qatar’s Al Gharafa Sports Club in an Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite Group B …

Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr eyes Asian glory amid revitalised Saudi Pro League campaign
1 month ago

Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr eyes Asian glory amid revitalised Saudi Pro League campaign

Associated Press  

Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of winning a first major trophy since arriving in Saudi Arabia in 2022 were given an unlikely domestic lifeline on Saturday and, on Monday, the Portuguese star can help Al-Nassr stay on course for a first Asian title. It was an honor to play against him.” Al-Nassr looked to be slipping out of the Saudi Pro League …

Big money as Saudi makes foray into cricket with IPL auction
1 month ago

Big money as Saudi makes foray into cricket with IPL auction

Live Mint  

Saudi Arabia hosts this year's Indian Premier League player auction in a partnership between a money-spinning cricket tournament expanding its global reach and a kingdom using sports to improve its image. Saudi cricket federation chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal said that staging the auction reflected the kingdom's "commitment to developing the sport and showcasing its position as a global destination …

Cristiano Ronaldo reveals true motive behind Saudi move: Want to leave a legacy
1 month ago

Cristiano Ronaldo reveals true motive behind Saudi move: Want to leave a legacy

India Today  

Portugal and Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that his primary motivation for making a shocking move to the Saudi Pro League in 2023 was to leave a lasting legacy. Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr is widely regarded as the turning point for the Saudi Pro League’s global rise. Follow our journey as it unfolds in the Netflix docuseries, …

Al Nassr vs Al Raed: Cristiano Ronaldo tries to motivate his teammates after poor start to Saudi Pro League
4 months ago

Al Nassr vs Al Raed: Cristiano Ronaldo tries to motivate his teammates after poor start to Saudi Pro League

India TV News  

Cristiano Ronaldo's team Al Nassr didn't get off to a great start in the new season of the Saudi Pro League. Earlier, it was Ronaldo who put Al Nassr in the lead in the 34th minute scoring his 50th goal in 48 games in the Saudi Pro League. Moreover, after being denied a possible winning goal by VAR, Al Nassr …

Cristiano Ronaldo aiming to help Al-Nassr end Al-Hilal's dominance in Saudi league
4 months ago

Cristiano Ronaldo aiming to help Al-Nassr end Al-Hilal's dominance in Saudi league

Hindustan Times  

Cristiano Ronaldo is lining up for another Saudi Pro League season with the main aim of helping Al-Nassr end the dominance of Riyadh rival Al-Hilal. Cristiano Ronaldo aiming to help Al-Nassr end Al-Hilal's dominance in Saudi league Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr in December 2022 and has yet to win a domestic trophy with the club. “I'm feeling a lot of …

Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Arabia dream turning into nightmare, rejects silver medal after Al Nassr lose to Al Hilal
4 months ago

Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Arabia dream turning into nightmare, rejects silver medal after Al Nassr lose to Al Hilal

Hindustan Times  

Cristiano Ronaldo’s frustration was evident as he refused to collect his runner-up medal after Al-Nassr’s 4-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final. Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo, Alex Telles, Abdulrahman Ghareeb and teammates look dejected after losing the penalty shootout and the Saudi King Cup final. Adding to the drama, Al-Hilal fans taunted Ronaldo with chants of "Messi" …

Cristiano Ronaldo 'reaches out to TWO former Real Madrid team-mates in bid to persuade them to join him at Al-Nassr'... as the forward looks to help his side's Saudi Pro League fortunes
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Cristiano Ronaldo 'reaches out to TWO former Real Madrid team-mates in bid to persuade them to join him at Al-Nassr'... as the forward looks to help his side's Saudi Pro League fortunes

Daily Mail  

Cristiano Ronaldo has reached out to two of his former team-mates in a bid to convince them to join him at Al-Nassr, according to a report. The forward has struggled for on-field success since moving to the Saudi Pro League 18 months ago, failing to win a major trophy despite enjoying the luxuries of off-field life in the Middle East. …

Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to miss out on silverware AGAIN but how have Al-Hilal crashed his Saudi Pro League party? Jorge Jesus' side are STILL unbeaten and sit 12 points clear at the top - and all
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to miss out on silverware AGAIN but how have Al-Hilal crashed his Saudi Pro League party? Jorge Jesus' side are STILL unbeaten and sit 12 points clear at the top - and all

Daily Mail  

Is it really a problem to have ONE Premier League game move to the USA? podcast Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr side may not be able to catch Al-Hilal this season Former Al-Nassr manager Rudi Garcia once likened Cristiano Ronaldo's lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League to Pele's transfer to New York Cosmos in 1975. Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr look set to …

Cristiano Ronaldo handed one-game ban for reacting to Lionel Messi chants with obscene gesture towards fans in Saudi Arabia
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Cristiano Ronaldo handed one-game ban for reacting to Lionel Messi chants with obscene gesture towards fans in Saudi Arabia

Daily Mail  

Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one match by Saudi soccer chiefs after appearing to make an obscene gesture at the end of Al Nassr's recent win over Al Shabab. Ronaldo was reportedly summoned by Saudi Pro League chiefs to explain the gesture he made towards supporters who were chanting great rival Lionel Messi's name towards him after Sunday's game. …

Lewd on-field gesture lands Cristiano Ronaldo in the soup, handed one match suspension
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Lewd on-field gesture lands Cristiano Ronaldo in the soup, handed one match suspension

India TV News  

The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Federation has suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for one match after he appeared to make a lewd gesture on the pitch during a Saudi Pro League fixture between Al Nassr and Al Shabab. In a video that has taken social media by storm, Ronaldo can be seen cupping his left ear before pumping …

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks his silence on his obscene gesture towards Al-Shabab fans that has caused anger in Saudi Arabia... 'as he faces a ban of at least two games and a fine'
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks his silence on his obscene gesture towards Al-Shabab fans that has caused anger in Saudi Arabia... 'as he faces a ban of at least two games and a fine'

Daily Mail  

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence on his obscene gesture towards Al-Shabab fans while celebrating Al-Nassr's 3-2 victory amid outcry against the forward. Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence on the obscene gesture he made to Al-Shabab fans Ronaldo appeared to make a the obscene gesture following Al-Nassr's win over Al-Shabab after the home fans taunted him with 'Messi' chants …

Cristiano Ronaldo to Receive 'Harsh' Punishment From Saudi FA for Obscene Celebration After Messi Chants: Report
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Cristiano Ronaldo to Receive 'Harsh' Punishment From Saudi FA for Obscene Celebration After Messi Chants: Report

News 18  

The rules are above none. Well, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo might be about to realise the same shortly, as the Saudi Pro League is reportedly set to fine the Al Nassr forward for his actions from Sunday night. Ronaldo was the centre of all headlines to do with the Saudi Pro League, after his obscene celebrations in front of opposition …

Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘Saudi league is better than Ligue 1’
11 months ago

Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘Saudi league is better than Ligue 1’

New York Times  

Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Saudi Pro League has overtaken France’s Ligue 1. In the past year, the Saudi top division has enjoyed significant investment, with several high-profile players including Neymar, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, and Fabinho leaving clubs in Europe to move to the Middle East. The 38-year-old forward joined Saudi side Al Nassr in January 2023 and now believes …

Rafael Nadal sees ‘potential’ in Saudi Arabia as he signs up as tennis ambassador
11 months, 1 week ago

Rafael Nadal sees ‘potential’ in Saudi Arabia as he signs up as tennis ambassador

The Hindu  

Rafael Nadal was named ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation on Monday, as the Gulf kingdom aims to host more professional tournaments as part of a broader sports push. “Everywhere you look in Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and progress and I’m excited to be part of that,” the 37-year-old Spaniard, winner of 22 Grand Slams, said in a …

How Saudi Arabia captured global sports in 2023
1 year ago

How Saudi Arabia captured global sports in 2023

Live Mint  

At the dawn of 2023, the spectre of Saudi Arabia's growing influence on pro golf—and sports in general—served not only as a moral conundrum for players and their fans, but also, some argued, as an existential threat to the multibillion-dollar professional-sports industry itself. Making less-dramatic but almost equally important headlines were the continuing talks between the Saudis and leaders in …

In 2023, the Saudis dove further into sports. They are expected to keep it up in 2024
1 year ago

In 2023, the Saudis dove further into sports. They are expected to keep it up in 2024

Associated Press  

At the dawn of 2023, the specter of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on pro golf — and sports in general — served not only as a moral conundrum for players and their fans, but also, some argued, as an existential threat to the multibillion-dollar professional-sports industry itself. Making less-dramatic but almost equally important headlines were the continuing talks between the …

Saudi Pro League: Karim Benzema tempted by Saudi Arabia’s ‘huge’ football project
1 year, 2 months ago

Saudi Pro League: Karim Benzema tempted by Saudi Arabia’s ‘huge’ football project

The Hindu  

Karim Benzema was lured by Saudi Arabia’s “huge project” and the fact it is a Muslim country when he decided to end a trophy-laden stint with Real Madrid to move to Al-Ittihad, the French striker said on Wednesday. Benzema became one of many big names to move to the Saudi Pro League when he joined Al-Ittihad as a free agent …

All praise for Ronaldo: Mourinho keeps Saudi Arabia options open, praises Cristiano move
1 year, 2 months ago

All praise for Ronaldo: Mourinho keeps Saudi Arabia options open, praises Cristiano move

The Hindu  

Roma coach Jose Mourinho said he fully expects to work in Saudi Arabia one day, after his compatriot, Cristiano Ronaldo, led the way by joining Al-Nassr, with a stream of players subsequently signing for Saudi Pro League teams. The former Chelsea coach said, “I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will …

Zlatan Ibrahimovic DESTROYS Cristiano Ronaldo and other stars for Saudi Arabia move
1 year, 2 months ago

Zlatan Ibrahimovic DESTROYS Cristiano Ronaldo and other stars for Saudi Arabia move

Daily Mail  

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has torn into some of the world's biggest stars - including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema - for moving to Saudi Arabia to play football as he insists money is not everything. The likes of Ronaldo alongside Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and Fabinho joined the Saudi league and took on lucrative money, with reports suggesting Brazil star …

Saudi Arabia is trying to disrupt soccer’s world order. The reasons why might surprise you
1 year, 3 months ago

Saudi Arabia is trying to disrupt soccer’s world order. The reasons why might surprise you

CNN  

CNN — Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says he doesn’t “care” about the country’s investment in sport being described as sportswashing. Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP/Getty Images By attracting some of the world’s biggest stars to …

WATCH: Crowd in Iran goes crazy to catch a glimpse of Cristiano Ronaldo, chase after his Saudi team bus
1 year, 3 months ago

WATCH: Crowd in Iran goes crazy to catch a glimpse of Cristiano Ronaldo, chase after his Saudi team bus

India TV News  

He may be in the evening of his career but possibly the biggest name in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo enjoys a fanbase like no other. From stadiums to roads to countries and continents, the passion of fans for Ronaldo to see him in action or just get a glimpse can get maddening and the streets of Tehran, the Iranian capital …

Only Premier League clubs spent more on transfers than Saudi Pro League sides
1 year, 3 months ago

Only Premier League clubs spent more on transfers than Saudi Pro League sides

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “This marks the first time since 2016 that another international league has …

Saudi transfer window closes after a $1 billion spending spree on soccer stars
1 year, 3 months ago

Saudi transfer window closes after a $1 billion spending spree on soccer stars

Associated Press  

MANCHESTER, England — After an outlay of $1 billion, Saudi Arabia’s transfer window shut on Thursday with the oil-rich kingdom having announced itself as a new powerhouse in global soccer. Liverpool last week reportedly rejected a bid worth 150 million pounds from Al-Ittihad for Salah and despite speculation a renewed offer would come before Thursday’s deadline, no deal was struck …

AUDIO - Full Time Show Podcast: Decoding Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on the world of football
1 year, 3 months ago

AUDIO - Full Time Show Podcast: Decoding Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on the world of football

The Hindu  

The summer transfer window of 2023 saw a new entrant prising players away from the top leagues of Europe. Riyadh-based Al-Nassr’s signing of Cristiano Ronaldo was the starting point of the transfer frenzy as the four PIF-backed clubs from the country vied to secure the signatures of top European players. Saudi Arabia’s performance in the Qatar World Cup, beating eventual …

VIDEO: Neymar lands in Saudi ahead of unveiling ceremony
1 year, 4 months ago

VIDEO: Neymar lands in Saudi ahead of unveiling ceremony

The Hindu  

Neymar was greeted with much fanfare on Friday as he arrived in Saudi Arabia where he joins a growing list of big names lured to the oil-rich kingdom. The 31-year-old Brazil forward, who will be unveiled as an Al-Hilal player on Saturday after six seasons with French champions Paris Saint-Germain landed in a Riyadh airport equipped with extra security for …

'Ronaldo started this and everybody called him crazy': Neymar's insane first reaction after joining Saudi club Al Hilal
1 year, 4 months ago

'Ronaldo started this and everybody called him crazy': Neymar's insane first reaction after joining Saudi club Al Hilal

Hindustan Times  

Brazilian superstar Neymar admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo played a key role in transforming the Saudi Pro League. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first big name from Europe to join Saudi Pro League last year; Neymar poses in Al Hilal jersey "I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him 'crazy', and this and that. Al Hilal have big …

Everybody Called Him ‘Crazy’: Neymar Jr Credits Cristiano Ronaldo For Revolution in Saudi Pro League
1 year, 4 months ago

Everybody Called Him ‘Crazy’: Neymar Jr Credits Cristiano Ronaldo For Revolution in Saudi Pro League

News 18  

Brazilian star Neymar has credited Cristiano Ronaldo to bring a revolution to Saudi Pro League as several stars from European football made sensational moves to Saudi in the ongoing summer transfer window. Neymar joined the likes of Karim Benzema, N’golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane to make a move to Saudi this summer. The Saudi Pro League …

Off-side: To be a fan, or not to be, that is the question
1 year, 4 months ago

Off-side: To be a fan, or not to be, that is the question

The Hindu  

Sports fandom is never defined by logic. Our unhealthy obsession with clubs or players stems from myriad reasons — we often follow in the footsteps of our parents or peers, or we rebel and opt for the other extreme. Should we linger with Barcelona, where Lionel Messi kept us hooked for close to two decades, or do we move with …

VIDEO: Neymar credits Cristiano Ronaldo for Saudi Pro League transformation
1 year, 4 months ago

VIDEO: Neymar credits Cristiano Ronaldo for Saudi Pro League transformation

The Hindu  

Cristiano Ronaldo is responsible for transforming the Saudi Pro League, according to Brazil forward Neymar who is looking forward to facing the Portuguese international when he starts playing for Al-Hilal. Neymar transfer to Al Hilal - Timeline of Brazilian striker’s club career Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined Al-Nassr in December on a two-and-a-half-year contract following his acrimonious departure …

Saudi Pro League kicks off after raiding Europe’s top football clubs
1 year, 4 months ago

Saudi Pro League kicks off after raiding Europe’s top football clubs

Al Jazeera  

The Saudi Pro League kicks off on Friday following a year of high-profile transfers and amid criticism that Saudi Arabia’s lavish spending amounts to an attempt to shift the focus from its dire human rights record. “I’m aware of people now asking the question: Where can I watch the Saudi Pro League?” Just a few years after allowing its first …

Saudi Pro league set to kick off new dawn for football
1 year, 4 months ago

Saudi Pro league set to kick off new dawn for football

The Hindu  

When the new Saudi Pro League season kicks off on Friday, it will herald a new dawn for football in the Gulf kingdom which has spent close to half a billion dollars luring top players and coaches from traditional European powerhouses. Al-Ahli, in particular, is one of the few clubs that has benefited from the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s project …

Saudi league is much better than the MLS, says Cristiano Ronaldo
1 year, 5 months ago

Saudi league is much better than the MLS, says Cristiano Ronaldo

The Hindu  

The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remains intact even with the football stars now plying their trade on different continents. One day after Messi, the 36-year-old Argentinian forward, was officially signed by Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, Ronaldo took a verbal shot at his longtime foe, maintaining that his new league in Saudi Arabia is better than the …

Michael Emenalo set to become Saudi Pro League’s first director of football
1 year, 5 months ago

Michael Emenalo set to become Saudi Pro League’s first director of football

New York Times  

The Saudi Pro League is set to appoint Michael Emenalo as its first director of football. Amid a massive drive to sign big-name players and managers, this move provides yet another indication of the competition’s ambition — plus a commitment not only to secure elite on-pitch talent but leading off-field personnel too. Emenalo occupied a similar role at Chelsea between …

Football’s Arabian Nights a big hit of the season
1 year, 5 months ago

Football’s Arabian Nights a big hit of the season

Hindustan Times  

Before the discussion shifts to Harry Kane’s possible move, whether Kai Havertz can bed in at Arsenal, Mason Mount at Manchester United and Ilkay Guendogan at Barcelona, Saudi Pro League has dominated the conversation around the summer transfer window. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is now part of football lexicon, not so much because of the acquisition of Newcastle but …

Inside Saudi Arabia’s plan to disrupt global football
1 year, 5 months ago

Inside Saudi Arabia’s plan to disrupt global football

New York Times  

The sun has set on Cristiano Ronaldo’s first six months in Saudi Arabia and he appears optimistic about the future of football there. Saudi Sports Company, which is state-controlled, acquired the domestic rights to the SPL for three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 and the deal’s value is 10 times the amount the league generates from international rights. Another way …

Mohamed Salah Joins Saudi Club Al-Adalah, His Teammate Left Confused and Ashamed
1 year, 6 months ago

Mohamed Salah Joins Saudi Club Al-Adalah, His Teammate Left Confused and Ashamed

News 18  

Mohamed Salah signed for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Adalah but it was not the Liverpool superstar that made the move, leaving Brazilian teammate a bit confused. The Saudi Pro League has made waves in the summer transfer window, luring players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have and even N’Golo Kante and Ruben Neves from the Premier League. The Saudi club Al-Adalah …

Saudi Arabia’s lavish recruitment drive rolls on despite Messi miss
1 year, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia’s lavish recruitment drive rolls on despite Messi miss

The Hindu  

Missing out on Lionel Messi hasn’t slowed Saudi Arabia’s ambitious recruitment drive as the oil-rich kingdom tries to establish itself as a viable destination for the world’s top players. World Cup and Champions League winner N’Golo Kante became the latest stellar player to head to the lucrative Pro League, signing a three-year contract Wednesday to team up with Benzema at …

Saudi Arabia’s lavish recruitment drive rolls on despite Messi miss
1 year, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia’s lavish recruitment drive rolls on despite Messi miss

Associated Press  

MANCHESTER, England — Missing out on Lionel Messi hasn’t slowed Saudi Arabia’s ambitious recruitment drive as the oil-rich kingdom tries to establish itself as a viable destination for the world’s top players. World Cup and Champions League winner N’Golo Kante became the latest stellar player to head to the lucrative Pro League, signing a three-year contract Wednesday to team up …

Saudi Arabia can help Chelsea solve headache — but talks raise more questions than answers
1 year, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia can help Chelsea solve headache — but talks raise more questions than answers

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. High-placed sources say this week brings a lot of discussion between Saudi …

UEFA president Čeferin dismisses idea of threat to European football from big spending Saudis
1 year, 6 months ago

UEFA president Čeferin dismisses idea of threat to European football from big spending Saudis

The Hindu  

European football should not be afraid of a player exodus to Saudi Arabian clubs, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said Sunday, suggesting the country was making a mistake investing in stars at the end of their careers. More players are expected to follow after four top Saudi Arabian clubs were effectively nationalized this month when taken into majority ownership by the …

Saudi Arabia, football’s big disruptors. The story of the money, the motive and the hidden disputes
1 year, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia, football’s big disruptors. The story of the money, the motive and the hidden disputes

New York Times  

“All roads lead to one man. At the World Cup, football’s greatest stage, Bin Salman was conspicuous, attending matches, sitting next to Gianni Infantino, and announcing a national holiday after Saudi Arabia beat Argentina. On Monday, they announced a revamped Saudi Pro League, with the country’s sovereign wealth fund, PIF, taking ownership of the country’s four largest clubs — Al …

‘I will continue’: Cristiano Ronaldo says he’ll stay at Al Nassr
1 year, 6 months ago

‘I will continue’: Cristiano Ronaldo says he’ll stay at Al Nassr

The Hindu  

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo pledged to remain in Saudi Arabia next season on Thursday despite failing to land any silverware since his lucrative move to the oil-rich kingdom. Ronaldo’s January signing for Al Nassr has been followed by speculation about how long he will stay, including reports of a swap deal with Saudi-owned Newcastle United which has now qualified for …

‘Ultimate influencer’ Ronaldo’s mixed season in Saudi Arabia
1 year, 6 months ago

‘Ultimate influencer’ Ronaldo’s mixed season in Saudi Arabia

Al Jazeera  

Ronaldo ends his first season in Saudi football empty-handed but his move to Al Nassr had impacts on and off the pitch. Five months after he shocked the football world by signing for Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo’s first season in Saudi Arabia is set to end with mixed results. “In some matches, he stood out; in others, he didn’t, but …

Cristiano Ronaldo ends disappointing debut season in Saudi empty-handed
1 year, 6 months ago

Cristiano Ronaldo ends disappointing debut season in Saudi empty-handed

The Hindu  

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr could not resist the temptation to sign five-times Ballon D’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in January, but although the prolific Portuguese forward scored an impressive number of goals, it finished the season empty-handed. Ronaldo’s hopes of silverware ended on Saturday as Al-Ittihad clinched the league title for the first time since 2009 with one match to spare. Al-Nassr …

Cristiano Ronaldo pushes for transfer to European giant and it’s not Real Madrid or Manchester United
1 year, 6 months ago

Cristiano Ronaldo pushes for transfer to European giant and it’s not Real Madrid or Manchester United

Hindustan Times  

Cristiano Ronaldo has set the Saudi Pro League on fire since his transfer to Al Nassr and Portugal star has scored 14 goals in 16 appearances, registering two assists. Despite his unceremonious exit from the Premier League side, it looks like Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are interested in signing Ronaldo. During last year's summer transfer window also, Ronaldo was linked …

Ronaldo says Saudi league could become top five in the world
1 year, 7 months ago

Ronaldo says Saudi league could become top five in the world

The Hindu  

Portuguese football great Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Saudi Pro League he joined this season could in time become one of the top five leagues in the world. Ronaldo has played in three of the world’s top leagues with stints at Real Madrid in Spain’s La Liga, Manchester United in the English Premier League and Juventus in Italy’s Serie A. “We …

How to become a football powerhouse
1 year, 7 months ago

How to become a football powerhouse

Hindustan Times  

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, in Europe, is the pinnacle of club football. In contrast, the first leg of the Asian Champions League final on April 29th is a Lilliputian affair, between the 101st- and 249th-ranked sides, Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia and Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan. According to transfermarkt.com, a website that estimates footballers’ market price, the average player in the …

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