A multiple award winning Portuguese forward and Al-Nassr, Christiano Ronaldo. Image: Team C Ronaldo (TCR) on X
(The Post News)- Cristiano Ronaldo’s signing with Al-Nassr Football Club in December 2022 was his final move. Rather, it led to an unparalleled change in Saudi football, enhancing the league’s prominence, financial strength, and international significance.
With Ronaldo’s arrival, the Saudi Pro League (SPL) gained international attention and sparked a media frenzy throughout the world. In just a few months, Al-Nassr’s social media following grew from less than one million to approximately over 20 million, and broadcast rights were extended to more than 130 countries. Once mostly known in the Gulf, the SPL is now a common sight on television screens in Europe, Asia, and North America.
League officials claim that online involvement increased by over 10,000 percent, with Ronaldo-starring match-day video films consistently garnering millions of views. The 2022–2023 season saw a thirty fold increase in global search interest in the SPL.
A slew of high profile signings were made possible by Ronaldo’s arrival. Karim Benzema, a former Ballon d’Or winner, joined Al-Ittihad in 2023. Neymar, Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, and N’Golo Kanté also joined. They were all enticed by competitive pay and Saudi Arabia’s increasing aspirations to become a major international sports centre.
The inflow of talent is in line with Vision 2030, the Saudi government’s plan to diversify the country’s economy and encourage global interaction through travel, culture, and sports. The General Entertainment Authority’s (GEA) top officials have called Ronaldo’s move a national investment.
“Ronaldo is a pillar of our global football strategy,” according to Al-Nassr President Musalli Al-Muammar, who announced that negotiations are in progress to extend his contract this June. Domestic interest has also surged The average stadium capacity for Al-Nassr’s home games has increased significantly from pre-2022 levels to about 90%. Ronaldo’s away games frequently sell out, which has led the league to improve stadium facilities and fan amenities nationwide.
Still, there are issues with the league’s dependence on well-known stars. When Ronaldo or other celebrities are not there, attendance has fluctuated. SPL games without well-known names have occasionally attracted fewer than 1,000 spectators. The ultimate goal could not be limited to the field. Saudi Arabia positioned itself as a genuine candidate on the basis of its growing football prominence in 2023 when it formally declared its candidacy to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo’s transfer was crucial in giving the proposal legitimacy. Tareq Al-Harbi, an analyst based in Riyadh, stated that Ronaldo contributed more than just goals. “He brought global relevance, sponsorship, and attention. Although there is no denying Ronaldo’s influence on awareness and engagement, experts warn that structural investment is necessary for long-term success, especially in coaching, youth development, and club sustainability.”
Zahra Al-Harithi, a sports studies professor at King Saud University, declared that the Ronaldo era was historic. One thing is certain as the Kingdom keeps making investments in its footballing future. Ronaldo’s transfer to Al-Nassr might have been the turning point that made the world take notice.
About the Author
