Ronaldo says Saudi move opened 'a box' for Benzema and Kante to follow
Cristiano Ronaldo claims his £175m-a-year Saudi move opened ‘a box’ for Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante to follow… as he insists ‘I am 1,000 per cent sure’ many more will follow
- Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr on a £175million-a-year deal earlier in 2023
- Lionel Messi had been linked with a move to Al-Hilal before joining Inter Miami
- Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez ‘is wanted by Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli’
Cristiano Ronaldo believes that his move to Saudi Arabia earlier this year has opened ‘a box’ for other players to make the switch.
Ronaldo left Manchester United before signing a mega-money £175million-a-year deal at Al-Nassr.
Since then, Saudi Pro League clubs have become more involved in the European transfer market, repeatedly being linked with moves for some of football’s biggest talents.
Lionel Messi was long linked with a move to Al-Hilal before joining Inter Miami, while N’Golo Kante is on the verge of completing a move to Al-Ittihad, signing a £172m deal at the club over two years.
Karim Benzema – the reigning Ballon d’Or winner – stunned European football fans by joining Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid, becoming the biggest coup for the Saudi Pro League since Ronaldo’s arrival.
Cristiano Ronaldo believes his move to Al-Nassr earlier in 2023 opened a box for others to follow
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner told media that he is confident plenty more European stars will join him
Karim Benzema was revealed as an Al-Ittihad player after penning a deal worth £258million
‘I knew that me going to Saudi Arabia would open a box and I wasn’t wrong,’ admitted Ronaldo.
‘I’m sure in a couple of years or three, this league is going to be one of the most important leagues in the world.
‘Karim left already and I am 1000 per cent sure that many more players will.’
Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia seemingly has been the turning point in the division’s recruitment drive, with few elite level players having made the switch.
Since then, a number of names have been rumoured to be linked with a switch to the Middle East, following in his wake.
Messi may have chosen Inter Miami, but his former team-mate Sergio Busquets has been connected with a £13m-a-season deal to join Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal – who finished third last season – are also rumoured to be keen on Jordi Alba, potentially reuniting the pair leaving the Nou Camp.
Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez, who is chasing a Treble this season, has also been linked with a deal, this time at Al Ahli.
Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is also linked with Al-Ittihad and has completed a medical
Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli reportedly hold a concrete interest in signing Riyad Mahrez
However, while Kante and Benzema deals did not involve fees paid to Chelsea and Real Madrid respectively, Man City have insisted that Mahrez will not be departing for nothing.
Mahrez still has two years remaining on his deal, which expires in 2025, and it is unclear whether he has any interest in a move.
Al-Ahli were one of four clubs to be taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund this week, along with Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.
It was claimed the move will ‘unleash various commercial opportunities, including investment, partnership and sponsorships across numerous sports.’
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