Cristiano Ronaldo, thank you very much 
Two or three years ago, most people outside the Arab world could not name a single Saudi Arabia football club. Today, millions around the world not only recognize several local clubs but also closely follow the Saudi Pro League, adjusting their schedules to watch matches.
Nothing about the league’s history changed overnight. What transformed it was Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a broad national initiative that included an ambitious goal: placing the Saudi Pro League among the top 10 leagues in the world, a target officially announced in 2023.
While some may argue that this goal has already been achieved, what is clear is that the league has firmly established itself on the global football map. This was especially evident this season, which proved to be one of the most competitive in its history, with the title remaining undecided until the final matchday.
What stands out most, however, is not just the league’s development, but the remarkable momentum behind it, a momentum driven by Cristiano Ronaldo. Saudi Arabia’s bold footballing ambition found its perfect match in a man who has never known the meaning of surrender and whose hunger for glory has never been satisfied.
Ronaldo has spent his entire career defying expectations, so it was fitting that he chose the Saudi Pro League for one of his final and most significant chapters. His arrival at Al-Nassr brought more than goals; it brought global attention, new narratives, and a standard of professionalism that raised the level of those around him.
But what truly sets him apart is how he responds when pressure is at its highest. This season, his relentless mentality and ability to inspire those around him perfectly captured the spirit of the saying: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” That fighting spirit was visible not only in the players but also in the atmosphere surrounding the team, and it is what made this season so memorable.
This was most evident on May 12, when Al-Nassr faced Al-Hilal in what was widely regarded as one of the biggest matches in recent Saudi football history in terms of viewership. A win would have secured the title for Ronaldo and his teammates in front of over 25,000 passionate supporters.
According to The New York Times, the match was broadcast across 38 channels in more than 180 countries — numbers that would have been unimaginable for a Saudi league match not long ago. Despite the immense pressure, Ronaldo performed with his usual commitment and focus. However, the final whistle did not bring the title; instead, it extended the race until May 21.
On a personal level, this season has left me with an unexpected feeling. The momentum Ronaldo has created has made me, as a Saudi, genuinely hope that Portugal wins the 2026 World Cup, second only to Saudi Arabia, of course.
Seeing players like Joao Felix, an Al-Nassr player, and Ruben Neves, an Al-Hilal player, both of whom featured in this season’s title race, potentially lifting the World Cup together would send a powerful message: that the Saudi Pro League is not only growing but also producing players capable of reaching the very top.
• Nasser bin Hamed Al-Ahmad is a political researcher and writer with more than eight years’ experience in political media. He specializes in analyzing political trends in the MENA region and the US.
X: @nasseralahmad3
