Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has had his say on Cristiano Ronaldo’s huge impact on football in Saudi Arabia following his move to Al Nassr earlier in the year.
The Portugal international made the surprise move to leave European football when he had his contract terminated at Manchester United, and he’s clearly been influential as a long list of other big names have since also made the move to the Saudi Pro League.
Neymar, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Ruben Neves and Jordan Henderson have been among the stars to join Saudi clubs since Ronaldo’s move there, and Romano believes the former Man Utd and Real Madrid man was hugely influential.
Writing in his exclusive CaughtOffside column, Romano said: “I have to admit I was not expecting the kind of impact the Saudi Pro League would have. I was expecting them to do something big, but not to sign so many big players in just one summer.
“What was surprising was the sheer number of number of players who moved in one transfer window, something like 15-20 big names, important players from European leagues. That was very surprising for me.
“Still, the intention was there – when I was in Saudi in January and they presented Cristiano Ronaldo to the world, as the face of the Saudi project, it was already very clear that they wanted to go for a super project, and signing Ronaldo was crucial, because bringing someone like that there is huge for credibility.
? EXCLUSIVE ?
"The idea when they presented Cristiano Ronaldo as the face of the Saudi project was very clear" ??@FabrizioRomano tells @CaughtOffside how the Saudis' ambitious transfers took him by surprise and about Ronaldo's crucial role ??
More here:… pic.twitter.com/SjqpYulUU5
— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) September 12, 2023
“The impact he had on many players joining the Saudi league was absolutely crucial, but also they want to keep going and so I think there’s going to be more movement in 2024.”
Ronaldo is clearly one of the best and most influential athletes of his generation and it will be interesting to see his lasting legacy in Saudi Arabia and if their ambitious project can continue to challenge Europe’s elite.