“Just by Ronaldo coming we have 137 channels around the world broadcasting the Saudi league” – Saudi Sports minister discloses the impact that Cristiano Ronaldo has had on the Saudi league

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faizal, the Saudi Arabian minister for sports, recently praised Cristiano Ronaldo for the effect he has had at Al-Nassr.

Until today, the Saudi Professional League (SPL) was not as well known outside of Saudi Arabia. After Ronaldo relocated to the Middle East, the sport’s popularity skyrocketed. A total of 137 nations across the world currently regularly broadcasts the league.

The addition of a global icon like Ronaldo was sure to raise the league to new heights of prominence. So far, that is exactly what has transpired. On the effect of the Portuguese star, Al Faizal was effusive, adding (via The Athletic):

“I’ll give you an example, just by Ronaldo coming we have 137 channels around the world broadcasting the Saudi league. We wanted that in the beginning but they said they were not interested, but since one player came now it’s all over the world. There is a possibility to come to a new place and grow the development of sport, and we saw that with Ronaldo coming and how the attraction happened all over the world.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently in the Portugal camp

Cristiano Ronaldo has had an effect both on and off the field. With nine goals and two assists in 10 games this season, he has emerged as a key cog in Al-assault. Nassr’s five-time Ballon d’Or winner finally scored at home, beating Abha 1-0 in an SPL match at Mrsool Park with a 30-yard free kick.

In the forthcoming UEFA Euro qualifiers, Portugal will face Liechtenstein and Luxembourg with Cristiano Ronaldo on the roster.

Ronaldo underperformed in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, to the point that he was taken off the field for Portugal’s knockout games. Nonetheless, the fabled seven has returned to international service.

To date, Ronaldo has made 196 appearances for Portugal’s national team, scoring 118 goals and assisting 43 others.

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