CRISTIANO Ronaldo has tipped the Saudi Pro League to become one of the top championships in the world in the near future.
The 38-year-old Portugal forward is the biggest star in the league after joining Al Nassr in January for a deal reported to be worth €200 million.
According to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), the Saudi Arabia Pro League is currently ranked 40th in the world and third in Asia.
After scoring the winning goal last night to earn Al Nassr a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Al Shabab to stay three points behind Al Ittihad in the title race, Ronaldo claimed the quality of the league had improved.
“We are much better and the Saudi league is getting better and the next year will be even better,” he told Saudi SSC channel in his post-match interview.
“Step-by-step I think this league will be among the top five leagues in the world but they need time, players and infrastructure.
“But I believe that this country has amazing potential, they have amazing people and the league will be great in my opinion.”
Ronaldo, who has been named Ballon d’Or winner five times, has played and won silverware in three of the world’s top leagues.
He played for Manchester United in the English Premier League, Real Madrid in Spain’s La Liga and Juventus in Italy’s Serie A.
There has also been speculation that Lionel Messi could join Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, with Odion Ighalo’s club Al Hilal reported to be offering a staggering €400m for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi’s father and representative Jorge has however clarified that his son has not agreed any deal with the Saudi club.
