Cristiano Ronaldo's inaugural season in Saudi Arabia concluded on a disappointing note. However, with an enormous salary and an unprecedented focus on Saudi football, he might not be the only superstar to make an appearance in the wealthy nation.
The grand unveiling of Ronaldo in January was met with excitement and celebration, which stood in stark contrast to the end of Al Nassr's season. On Wednesday, Ronaldo opted not to participate in a 3-0 victory against Al Fateh.
Despite securing the services of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in a lucrative two-and-a-half-year contract worth 400 million euros ($428 million), Al Nassr finished as runners-up in the Saudi Pro League without claiming any major trophies. Nonetheless, they earned a consolation prize by qualifying for the Asian Champion. According to Moqbel Al-Zabni, editor-in-chief of Al Riyadiah newspaper, Ronaldo's achievement of scoring 14 goals, including five penalties, could not salvage what he termed a "disappointing season" for the Riyadh club. The club's fans expressed their frustration, highlighting the need for at least one championship. Despite the club's underwhelming performance, the 38-year-old Ronaldo continues to be a remarkable marketing asset for Saudi football and the nation as a whole. Saudi Arabia aims to transform itself into a tourism and investment hub, and Ronaldo's presence plays a significant role in this endeavor. There are reports indicating that a significant deal is in the works to bring Ronaldo's former La Liga rival, Lionel Messi, to Saudi Arabia, further solidifying the country's ambitious plans. Thanks to the financial resources of the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth vehicle behind LIV Golf, the acquisition of Premier League club Newcastle United, and Ronaldo's signing, the Saudi Pro League has been linked with several other prominent names. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is contemplating a bid to host the World Cup, following the footsteps of neighboring Qatar. In this regard, the country has explored the possibility of collaborating with Egypt and Greece to present a tri-continental hosting option.
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