The Saudi Pro League was largely oblivious before its Riyadh-based club, Al Nassr, acquired Cristiano Ronaldo. Six months after this deal, the previously oblivious Asian League became home to Europe’s biggest superstars. The Saudi League disrupted the transfer market by welcoming seven UEFA Champions League winners, thanks to Ronaldo’s presence. Recently, former Fulham star turned CR7’s bitter Saudi League rival, Aleksandar Mitrovic spoke about his 2023 move to Al Hilal. The on-field rivalry between the two Riyadh clubs aside, Mitrovic is grateful to the Portuguese icon for indirectly paving the way for his blockbuster Al Hilal deal.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact on Saudi Arabia’s growth as a soccer destination became the talking point in one of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s recent interviews. “Cristiano Ronaldo made the rise of the Saudi League real,” said Mitrovic. Thereafter, the Serbian international thanked CR7 for showing the likes of him that the Saudi League is an attractive haven. “After Cristiano Ronaldo came to the Saudi League, it was easy for everyone to come,” the Al Hilal forward added.

Mitrovic joined Al Hilal in last year’s summer window on a $58.6 million, three-year deal. He is tied to the current Saudi League leaders till the end of the 2025–26 season. The Serbian’s star has risen ever since he joined the Riyadh-based club. He has scored 22 goals in 22 SPL games for Al Hilal this season. Meanwhile, Al Hilal has not lost a single Saudi League tie this season and is reigning as the league’s top seed. Anyhow, the Hilal striker’s comments on Cristiano Ronaldo are no surprise. Mitrovic’s teammate Neymar was one of the first players to praise Ronaldo for spearheading the Saudi soccer project.

When Neymar silenced Cristiano Ronaldo’s critics to laud his Saudi move

Aleksandar Mitrovic has actually just iterated what Neymar said last year after he joined Al Hilal. “I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him ‘crazy’, and this and that. Today you see the league grow more and more,” said Neymar in his first interview after joining Al Hilal. The exodus to Saudi, started by Ronaldo, shows no signs of stopping. Yet again, as another transfer season looms over, rumors link numerous European heavyweights to a Saudi Arabia switch.

Per rumors, Luka Modric, Kevin De Bruyne, and Casemiro, among others, could mull plying their trade in Saudi Arabia this summer. Besides, reports also hint that the UEFA will invite Saudi League clubs to feature in the Champions League. These rumors have it that Al Nassr is Europe’s favorite potential candidate because of Ronaldo’s presence.

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