Cristiano Ronaldo, the first great symbol of the Saudi Pro League’s sporting power grab, arrived on New Year’s Day. By June 1, the Portugal international was talking about those who would be joining him.
“If they are coming – big players and big names, young players, ‘old players’ – they are very welcome,” said Ronaldo. “Because if that happens, the league will improve.” There is no longer an “if” about Saudi Arabia’s assault on European club football’s economic hegemony. The more relevant questions are “how many?”, “for how long?”, and “to what ultimate goal?”
In the 30 days since Ronaldo discussed the future of the Saudi Pro League, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy have signed contracts to join him there. That same month, Ronaldo’s rival of almost two decades, Lionel Messi, and another former Real Madrid team-mate, Luka Modric turned down the largest financial offers of their careers to play in the Kingdom. Had Messi and Modric accepted next season’s Saudi Pro League would have boasted the winners of the last 14 Ballons d’Or. Every other winner of football’s premier individual prize has retired.
