Cristiano Ronaldo Insists Saudi League Will Be “One of the Best” Leagues in the World After Hattrick

• Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo is confident of the Saudi Pro League's potential
• The 38-year-old argues the Saudi top flight will rub shoulders with the top leagues across Europe
• He scored his first hattrick of the season when his side thumped Al Fateh on Friday

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again emphasized his belief that the Saudi Pro League is poised to become one of the premier football leagues globally in the coming years.

Last season, Ronaldo praised the Saudi domestic league and predicted that it could rank among the top five leagues worldwide if it continues its development trajectory.

Since his confident proclamation, a host of prominent football stars have followed suit, moving from Europe to the oil-rich nation.

Players such as reigning Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema, Brazilian icon Neymar, and two-time African Player of the Year Sadio Mane have all embarked on new chapters in the Middle East this summer.

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It's evident that the 38-year-old's unorthodox decision to join Al-Nassr in the Saudi League has paved the way for other football luminaries, significantly enhancing the league's overall quality in a relatively short period.

Following a remarkable hattrick that contributed to his team's first victory of the 2023-24 league season, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner reiterated his belief that the Saudi top flight could rival the top-tier divisions in Europe.

"As I said last season, Saudi League will improve and will be one of the best leagues in the world," he told reporters as quoted by Al-Nassr's official X App handle.

Despite numerous suggestions that CR7 would have preferred to remain in Europe rather than relocate to the Gulf country, the former Real Madrid icon had this to say in response:

"I'm happy here, and I'd like to thank Saudi Arabia for having me and making me feel so happy."

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Ronaldo's impact on Saudi League

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) currently holds the top-rank position in Asia, supporting Cristiano Ronaldo's prediction that it won't be long before it competes with Europe's premier leagues.

The SPL consistently achieves the highest coefficient in Asia, mainly due to the exceptional performances of its clubs in the AFC Champions League.

However, the addition of Ronaldo to Al-Nassr has had a transformative effect.

Ronaldo bags hattrick in heavy win

Sports Brief also reported that Al-Nassr snapped their first win in the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League with a five-nil triumph against Al-Fateh on Friday evening.

A brace from Sadio Mane and a sensational hattrick from Cristiano Ronaldo ensured the Knights of Najd arrested their two-game losing streak in style.