Cristiano Ronaldo Believes Saudi League Can Become Future Top Five League

• Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr after having his Man United contract terminated
• The Portuguese just concluded his first season at the Saudi Arabian club
• Ronaldo hopes both Messi and Benzema will join the Saudi Arabian league

Cristiano Ronaldo is of the opinion that the Saudi Pro League can become a top-five league in the world if it can attract more big-name players.

Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modric have been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia, and Ronaldo, 38, believes these superstars are welcome in the Gulf nation.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has completed his first season with Al-Nassr after joining in December.

He has a contract until 2025 and added that he 'will continue here' next season.

Ronaldo speaks on Messi/Benzema

As reported by Goal, Messi will leave PSG this summer, a decision confirmed by coach, Christophe Galtier. The Argentina forward, 35, has a role as a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia.

Mbappe names one footballer better than everyone including Lionel Messi

Football

Ronaldo's former Real Madrid team-mates, Benzema and Modric are also thought to be looking for lucrative moves at the tail ends of their careers.

"If they are coming, big players and big names, young players, 'old players', they are very welcome because if that happens, the league will improve a little bit," Ronaldo said in an interview with the SPL, as confirmed by The Athletic.

"The league is very good but I think we have many opportunities to still grow. The league is competitive. We have very good teams, very good Arab players.

"But they need to improve a little bit more the infrastructure. Even the referees, the VAR system, should be a little quicker."

Ronaldo's second stint with Manchester United ended last November when his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

After becoming the only player to score in five different World Cup tournaments, he scored 14 goals in 16 games to help Riyadh-based Al-Nassr finish second behind champions Al-Hilal.

Aston Villa goalkeeper blasted for claiming he wants Messi to join his club

Football

"I think other small things they need to improve," added Ronaldo, who holds the records for the most international goals and appearances.

"But I am happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here. And in my opinion, if they continue to do the work that they want to do here, for the next five years, I think the Saudi league can be a top-five league in the world."

Messi, Benzema to Saudi Arabia?

As reported earlier by Sports Brief, both Messi and Benzema could be on their way to Saudi Arabia.

The deal was virtually confirmed by Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi Minister of Sport, who has hinted that Messi and Real Madrid star, Karim Benzema will be joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League this summer.

It remains to be seen if both superstars will make the move to join Ronaldo in the Middle East.