Cristiano Ronaldo’s Impact Visible As Saudi Pro League Ranked Number 1 League in Asia<!-- -->
The Saudi Pro League (SPL) currently holds the top rank in Asia, supporting Cristiano Ronaldo's prediction that it won't be long before it competes with Europe's premier leagues.
Over the years, football in the Gulf State has experienced significant growth, with remarkable improvements each season.
Fueled by enticing deals, the Saudi Arabian top-flight has successfully attracted some of the world's finest players to Asia, the most populous continent on Earth.
Notably, in January 2023, Al-Nassr secured what is arguably the greatest transfer ever made by an Asian football club, signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.
Taking the lead in the SPL's charge, the Riyadh-based club orchestrated a mass exodus of top football talents, with Ronaldo's astonishing £175 million-a-year contract setting the tone, per Arab News.
In a previous interview, Ronaldo boldly proclaimed his belief that the SPL will evolve into a "top-five league in the world."
"I am happy here; I want to continue here, I will continue here. And in my opinion, if they continue to do the work that they want to do here, for the next five years, I think the Saudi league can be a top-five league in the world," he said as quoted by BBC.
Ronaldo's Saudi league impact
The SPL consistently achieves the highest coefficient in Asia, mainly due to the exceptional performances of its clubs in the AFC Champions League.
However, the addition of Ronaldo to Al-Nassr has had a transformative effect. A fascinating trend has emerged, attracting a host of top-tier players to the Gulf State.
Among the notable names who have joined this trend are Karim Benzema, the midfielder N'Golo Kante, a key player in France's 2018 World Cup victory, and Riyad Mahrez, who played a crucial role in Manchester City's treble-winning season.
With the current transfer window still open, there is widespread anticipation that many other high-calibre players will be tempted to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps, allured by the prospect of significant financial rewards.
Top leagues in Asia
Presently, 16 club sides are competing, but starting from the 2023/24 season, the Saudi Pro League will expand to include 18 clubs.
The SPL holds the top position among the best-ranked leagues in Asia., according to Footy Rankings.
Ronaldo: SPL better than MLS
In a previous publication related to the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo claimed that the Saudi top flight surpasses the MLS in quality and stated unequivocally that he harbours no intentions of playing in the United States.
In the wake of Lionel Messi's grand introduction as Major League Soccer's star attraction, Ronaldo took the opportunity to publicly undermine the league's calibre and affirm his dedication to elevating the Saudi Pro League into a premier global competition, Sports Brief reported.
