From Shadow To Light: The Rise Of The Saudi Pro League

Saudi Arabia was once a small blip on the footballing radar. In recent years, however, the landscape has changed dramatically and the Saudi Pro League has emerged as one of the most promising and multimillion-dollar leagues in the world.

The Awakening of a Giant

Until recently, the Saudi Pro League was a hidden gem in the world of football. But with the arrival of international stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, the league has undergone a renaissance.

Teams such as Al-Nassr and Al Ittihad are no longer just household names, they are household names all over the world.

This transformation is no coincidence: according to the IFFHS 2022 Index, the league has climbed to 40th place on the list of the world's most competitive leagues.

The impact of Cristiano Ronaldo

The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr was a milestone not only for the club, but for the league as a whole.

Carlos Nohra, CEO of the Saudi Pro League (SPL), highlighted the Portuguese's impact:

“The signing of Cristiano Ronaldo has enabled our championship to be broadcast to 140 countries and has increased the league's revenue by a staggering 650%.”

And Ronaldo was not the only one: Benzema, Kanté, Koulibaly, Neves and Firmino are just some of the stars who have decided to join the football revolution.

Neymar did not hesitate to praise Ronaldo after his arrival at Al Hilal, telling Goal's Twitter account:

“Cristiano was a pioneer in all this. People called him 'crazy', but now the league is booming. Facing him, Benzema and Firmino will be exciting.”

Saudi Arabia has a clear vision: to become one of the top ten leagues in the world and eventually host the 2030 World Cup.

Privatisation Initiatives

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Sports, has announced a revolutionary move: the transfer of ownership of the Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahly, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal teams to the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

This decision, which gives the PIF 75% ownership of each club, is a clear indication of the country's ambition and vision for the future in the sporting arena.

What do you think of all this?