Beyond Ronaldo: Saudi Pro League Eyes a Bold Next Chapter

Ronaldo’s Era Prompts a Post-2027 Strategy for the Saudi Pro League

Saudi media figure Walid Al-Farraj urged that the phase after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the Roshen Saudi Pro League should be planned now. He posted on X a graphic highlighting today’s top players, remarking that the 2027 season could be a turning point for the league.

He explained that Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are likely to play their final seasons on Saudi soil and asked what the 2028 plan would look like, including which stars the league will back to propel its future.

Ronaldo and Benzema’s contracts with Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are expected to expire at the end of the coming season, and forecasts indicate these could be their last seasons in professional football.

The piece also features a hypothetical Roshen showdown between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, illustrating the league’s ongoing push for marquee clashes while preparing for broader renewal through new talent.

Al-Farraj added: “People have long blamed Spanish football for being Ronaldo-and-Messi’s league; after their exits, cries from fans followed, but the league moved on.” He concluded: “Watch the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah to see that big clubs don’t hinge on one or two stars; time moves on, and Roshen should keep evolving.”

He emphasized that renewal should focus on identifying new stars to sustain growth, rather than clinging to past glories. The final in Jeddah underscored that top teams adapt and continue to evolve, rather than resting on nostalgia.

Punchline 1: If Ronaldo retires, the league’s next chapter may require a bigger calendar and an even bigger coffee budget—because planning for legends takes stamina too.

Punchline 2: And if replacement is tough, the best strategy might be to train a new era with the same enthusiasm—just with better lighting and a cooler trophy shelf. Even legends need a good reboot now and then.