Will the Saudi Pro League Become One of the Top 5 Leagues? | OneFootball

Shortly after joining Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo made a bold claim: the Saudi Arabian Pro League would become one of the world’s top five football leagues in the coming years. At the time, these words sounded utopian, but the subsequent arrival of other stars to this Middle Eastern country, which had not previously been in the football spotlight, changed the perceptions.

With state support, massive investments, and strategic projects, the Pro League quickly drew the attention of football fans around the world. The big question now is whether this rise can be sustained and whether Saudi football can truly achieve the "Top 5" status.

The League’s Transformation

Just five years ago, the Saudi Pro League was barely on the radar of most football fans, with Saudi Arabia known more for tourism and oil than the sport itself. This perception changed during the 2022 FIFA World Cup when an epic 2-1 win over Argentina in the group stage grabbed international headlines and highlighted the potential of the peninsula as a footballing country.

The Saudi government's Vision 2030 strategy makes sport, and particularly football, one of the key pillars of economic and social development. The Public Investment Fund’s purchase of stakes in the nation’s four major clubs – Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli – strengthened the league’s financial base. Consequently, clubs have more influence in the transfer market and have more ability to create better infrastructure and youth development programs.

Whereas the Pro League attracted only regional interest a few years ago, today it commands the attention of a global audience. Last season, matches were broadcast across six continents, in over 184 countries, and on 43 international platforms. These matches are even available live on some betting platforms. For instance, you can log in to your 1xBet account and watch the league's matches with live streaming.

For example, the Al Hilal vs. Al Nassr rivalry had more live viewers than a number of traditional European derbies. These figures show that the league’s transformation is not just theoretical but driven by genuine fan interest.

The Arrival of Star Players

Cristiano Ronaldo's shock transfer to Al Nassr in early 2023 was the catalyst for the Saudi Pro League. Fabrizio Romano and other media outlets reported that Ronaldo's deal with Al Nassr is worth around €200 million per year. It was an unprecedented record in football. Subsequent transfers also became the main topic of the media at the time.

Saudi Arabia currently has a number of famous footballers: Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante are with Al Ittihad, Riyad Mahrez has joined Al Ahli, Sadio Mane has joined Al Nassr, while Kalidou Koulibaly is with Al Hilal. They were all signed for large transfer fees and lucrative contracts (a typical example of an aggressive recruitment policy).

This spending campaign has sent shockwaves through European football. Player valuations have spiked and marquee talent departures have undermined the strength of the brand and global marketability of Europe's top clubs and leagues. The Saudi Pro League was once considered a lesser league, but has now emerged as a strong force in the global transfer market.

Still a Long Road Ahead

In spite of recent improvements, football in Saudi Arabia faces major challenges. Primarily, the local fan culture is still far below the European football standards. Even with superstars, many matches are played in front of half-empty stands.

The intensity and tempo of the matches also lag behind European standards, as is obvious when Saudi clubs take part in international competition. There are also questions as to the sustainability of this model. The league is heavily reliant on state funding, and doubts remain about what would happen if that financial tap were ever turned down.

Ronaldo's overly optimistic forecast about the Saudi league may be fulfilled in the future. However, at the moment it is more of a vision than a reality. It remains to be seen in the coming years whether this forecast will be realized.