In a blunt assessment of the current state of the Saudi Pro League (SPL), former Saudi sports minister Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad declared that only Cristiano Ronaldo truly justifies his enormous salary, and all other foreign players, in his view, are overpaid.
Speaking on the TV program on Arab-language channel Al-Arabiya (Fi Al Marama), the ex-minister said of the Portuguese forward: “Ronaldo is the only foreign player worth what he earns because of the global exposure he brings to the league and the country.”
He added that “Many others are paid far more than they deserve.”
His comments reflect a broader sentiment within Saudi sports leadership that Ronaldo‘s move has been a turning point for the nation’s football project.
The Portuguese icon arrived at Al-Nassr in January 2023 after parting ways with Manchester United following a public and tumultuous fallout with the English club.
His decision to depart Europe for the Middle East marked one of the most high profile transfers in football history and signaled the Saudi Pro League’s growing ambitions.
Ronaldo’s impact on the Saudi Pro League
Since joining Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has served as both a superstar player and a global ambassador for Saudi football. His influence has extended beyond the pitch, fueling commercial growth, strengthening sponsorship interest, and inspiring a wave of new signings across the league.
Ronaldo recently signed a new twoyear contract extension with Al-Nassr after completing the initial 30month agreement he signed upon arrival.
His new deal places him among the top earners in the sport, with reports indicating that he makes roughly four million dollars per week.
That staggering figure amounts to approximately two hundred eleven million dollars per year, or more than four hundred twenty million dollars across the duration of the contract.
While the Saudi Pro League has become home to a growing number of former European stars, including Karim Benzema, Joao Felix, Sadio Mane, and several others, Prince Abdullah suggested that none have had the same transformative effect as Ronaldo.
Neymar, who briefly joined Al-Hilal before returning to Brazil, also contributed to the league’s visibility, but according to the former minister, still falls short of Ronaldo‘s influence.
“The international renown that Ronaldo brings is unparalleled,” Prince Abdullah said. “He is the only foreign player whose impact justifies the level of his salary. No one else has done that for the league.”
The continued expansion of the Saudi Pro League remains a core part of the country’s long-term sports strategy, and Ronaldo‘s presence has proven crucial in legitimizing that vision on the global stage.
As the league seeks further growth and attempts to lure more top-tier talent, the original blockbuster signing remains, in the eyes of many leaders within the sport, its most valuable asset.
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