The former Saudi Minister of Sports, Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad, has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo is the only foreign player in the Saudi Pro League who truly deserves his high salary.
According to him, the Portuguese star, who has been playing for Al Nassr since December 2022, has managed to bring global exposure and real impact to Saudi football.
In an interview for “Fi Al-Marama” on Al-Arabiya, Prince Abdullah said that the large number of foreign players is overshadowing local footballers and could threaten the future of the Saudi national team, especially with the 2034 World Cup set to take place in the country.
“Ronaldo is the only foreign player who is worth his salary because he brings extraordinary attention to the league and the country,” he said.
He added that many other players are paid more than they deserve and called for reducing the number of foreign players allowed per match from eight to seven, as well as increasing investment in youth development.
“Today, building a strong league is being done at the expense of the national team. We need a clear plan for the future,” Prince Abdullah emphasized.
He also called for elite coaches for youth categories and suggested that major matches be played on Thursdays, allowing well-known European referees to officiate the games.
The Portuguese star’s salary is estimated to be around 211 million dollars per year.
