Riyadh, Aug 29: Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate the spotlight as the Saudi Pro League begins its new season, underscoring his enduring status as the global face of Saudi football.
Earlier this month, more than 30,000 fans packed into Hong Kong Stadium to watch Al-Nassr edge Al-Ittihad 2-1 in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal. The atmosphere turned electric each time the Portuguese star touched the ball, with supporters traveling from across China, Saudi Arabia, and the Asia-Pacific region to see him in action.
Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 after leaving Manchester United, sparked a wave of high-profile arrivals including Karim Benzema, Neymar, and Riyad Mahrez. The league’s “Big Four” clubs — Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli — came under the control of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in 2023, fueling ambitious spending and expansion plans.
The new league season kicked off Thursday with three matches, while Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr opened their campaign Friday against Al-Taawoun.
Yet, the reliance on Ronaldo’s star power was evident in Hong Kong. While his game drew a capacity crowd, the following fixture between Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah reportedly attracted far fewer fans than the announced 16,000, with many estimating the actual attendance at closer to 5,000 or 6,000.
Despite efforts to broaden the league’s appeal, Ronaldo remains its central drawcard.
