FIFA president Gianni Infantino publicly backed Cristiano Ronaldo’s statements about the growth of the Saudi Pro League, reinforcing the idea that Saudi soccer is undergoing a profound transformation since the Portuguese’s arrival in late 2022
For Infantino, the impact of the Al Nassr striker is not only felt in sporting terms, but also in the global positioning of the championship, which has gone from being a peripheral league to becoming an attractive stage for fans, sponsors and international stars.
Growth of the Saudi Pro League since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo
Since Ronaldo arrived in Saudi Arabia, the local competition has taken a remarkable media and competitive leap. The Portuguese not only defended the level of the tournament, but even went so far as to say that it surpassed European leagues such as the French or even the Portuguese championship
His words were controversial and widely debated; however, Infantino largely agreed with that view, noting that the Kingdom “has become an important hub on the world football stage” and that the Saudi Pro League “is on its way to becoming one of the top three leagues on the planet”.
Saudi Arabia and the 2034 World Cup as a backup for the football project
Institutional support for this growth was reflected in the confirmation of Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup, after it submitted a sole bid to FIFA. Infantino described the country as an ideal host, stressing its organisational capacity, its emerging football culture and the strategic interest in continuing to expand the sport into new regions.
The leader also stressed that the Saudi league is no longer just a local tournament, but a “national league with a global flavor”, thanks to the arrival of figures such as Neymar and other stars who followed the path opened by Cristiano.
Saudi national team and sporting challenge towards 2026
Infantino also referred to Saudi Arabia’s participation in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, where they will share Group H with Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde. Although the challenge is high, the FIFA president did not rule out a surprise similar to Saudi Arabia’s historic victory over Argentina at Qatar 2022. For him, the process that Saudi soccer is going through goes beyond investments: it is a comprehensive project that seeks real competitiveness, international prestige and sporting continuity.
With the support of FIFA, the media boost of Cristiano Ronaldo and the projection of the 2034 World Cup, Saudi Arabia seems determined to establish itself as a new world football power
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