Saudi Sports Minister Abdulaziz ibn Turki al-Saud recently highlighted the global impact of Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr, his native nation’s club. He described a striking shift in international attention that followed Ronaldo’s arrival, noting how the move sparked widespread broadcasting of the Saudi Arabian championship. The minister explained that, initially, many broadcasters showed little interest. Then Ronaldo joined, and suddenly channels across the world began to show renewed enthusiasm for the league, expanding its reach far beyond traditional markets. Per his account, the presence of a global superstar helped boost visibility and engagement with the sport at all levels, attracting fans who had previously overlooked domestic competition. He attributed this surge to the compelling draw of top-tier talent and the potential for athletes to elevate sports development in new environments, a trend he connected directly to Ronaldo’s arrival, as reported by Athletic.
Ronaldo, now 38 years old, made the decision to sign with Al Nassr in January 2023. In the current season, he has appeared in ten matches across all competitions for the club, delivering nine goals and two assists. His performances have reinforced the club’s profile on the world stage and contributed to the broader interest in Saudi football.
Ronaldo had been without a club since November 2022, following the termination of his contract with Manchester United after a provocative interview in which he criticized the English club’s coaching staff, management, and policies. The fallout led to a break in the relationship with United and left Ronaldo seeking new competitive opportunities. As reported by Athletic, there were ongoing discussions about his role with the Portugal national team for European Championship qualifying games in 2024, signaling that his professional future remained a topic of significant public interest.