From Portuguese great Cristiano Ronaldo to reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, the Saudi Pro League has become the favored destination for numerous global football icons recently. The Saudi clubs have been engaging in a substantial spending spree this summer. According to a report by CNBC, the Saudi sides have already invested over $1 billion in transfer fees. In an interview with CNBC, Carlo Nohra, the chief operating officer of the Saudi Pro League, disclosed their ambition to be one of the “top 10 football leagues” worldwide. He emphasized that luring superstar players to Saudi Arabia is the initial step of their “extremely long-term” football strategy. “While this aids our growth on the field, the ultimate goal is to expand off the field and capitalize on commercial opportunities. Thus, our strategy encompasses all aspects requiring attention to position the Saudi Pro League among the top 10 leagues globally,” Nohra stated. Nohra mentioned the Saudi domestic league’s plans to boost its global broadcasting presence as well. “Since Cristiano Ronaldo joined our league in January, we have witnessed an unprecedented expansion of global distribution for Saudi soccer, and with the recent acquisitions this summer, we have secured renewals across the board, leading to an increase in the commercialization of broadcasting rights worldwide. We are thrilled with our current progress, but we remain committed to meeting the expectations of football fans worldwide,” he added.

The Saudi Pro League garnered significant attention when Al Nassr, a team based in Riyadh, secured the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or recipient, during the previous season. The two-and-a-half-year agreement with the Saudi club resulted in the former Manchester United player becoming the highest-paid athlete in the sport’s history.
Subsequent to Ronaldo’s arrival in Riyadh, numerous other notable figures opted to join Saudi football clubs. According to a report by Goal, over 30 new players from Europe arrived in the Saudi Pro League during the summer transfer window.