Cristiano Ronaldo has called on players in the Saudi Pro League to stop publicly criticising the competition, warning that the ongoing negativity is damaging the league’s reputation and undermining its long-term ambitions.
The Portuguese forward’s comments came in the aftermath of Al Nassr’s 2-0 victory over Al Ahli, a result that strengthened the club’s position in the title race. Following the match, Al Ahli players voiced complaints suggesting that Al Nassr had received preferential treatment from match officials — claims that Ronaldo directly addressed.
“I think this is not good for the league. Everyone complains,” Ronaldo said. “This is football; this is not a war. We know we have to fight; everyone wants to win. But not everything is allowed.”
Ronaldo singled out the trend of players taking their frustrations to social media, a pattern he described as counterproductive. “Many players have complained, doing posts on Instagram and Facebook, speaking about the referees, speaking about the league, speaking about the project. This is not good. This is not the goal of the league,” he stated.
The 40-year-old, who joined Al Nassr in January 2023, has consistently positioned himself as an ambassador for the Saudi Pro League’s global ambitions. In his latest remarks, he reiterated that stance, calling on fellow players to set a higher standard. “We should give an example, not only here but also for Europe, that we want to compete with them to be one of the best leagues in the world. But like that, I think we should analyse but stop that [criticism]… because for me, this is not football.”
Ronaldo also acknowledged that the current campaign has been demanding on multiple fronts. “It’s been a difficult season, not just on the pitch but off it,” he said. “We know the power that other teams have, but I will have the opportunity to speak at the end of the season.”
The Saudi Pro League has faced recurring scrutiny since a wave of high-profile signings transformed the division from the 2023-24 season onwards. While the arrival of players such as Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar, and others elevated the league’s global profile, questions around officiating standards, competitive balance, and the broader sporting credibility of the competition have persisted.
Ronaldo’s intervention is notable given that he himself previously called for respect toward referees in a separate public statement, urging Saudi stars to accept officials’ decisions even when mistakes are made. The consistency of that message underlines his stated commitment to professionalising the league’s image.
With the Saudi Pro League title race still unresolved heading into the final weeks of the season, the pressure on clubs and players alike is intensifying. Al Nassr’s victory over Al Ahli keeps them firmly in contention, and Ronaldo has indicated he will offer a fuller assessment of the season once it concludes.
