Ronaldo Rules the Roost: Why a Saudi Prince Says Ronaldo Is Worth Every Riyal
27 November 2025
Ronaldo’s Value in the Saudi Project
Prince Abdullah bin Mosaid, the former Saudi Minister of Sports, argues that Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr is the only foreign star who truly deserves the massive salary tied to his deal, largely because of the publicity he brings to Saudi Arabia.
Since arriving in January 2023 from Manchester United, Ronaldo has delivered spectacular numbers, surpassing 100 goals in 117 appearances and nearing a century of goals in the Roshen Pro League alone.
Bin Mosaid contends Ronaldo is the sole player who justifies the price tag among foreign stars, noting that the star’s sustained promotion of the kingdom and his public remarks about Saudi Arabia justify the deal.
He concedes Ronaldo earns a lot, but believes his presence raises the team’s quality; everything at Al Nassr flows through him, and the analyst suggests he would not want Ronaldo at Al Hilal due to the shifting dynamics.
There were discussions about Ronaldo potentially joining Al Hilal before or after the club’s recent World Club Cup ambitions in the United States.
He also warns that a flood of foreign players can push local talent into a supporting role, turning locals into “extras.” He argues for a renewed focus on developing Saudi players in preparation for the 2034 World Cup hosted by the country.
He cites that sending players abroad, like Saud Abdulhamid to Roma and later Lens, did not deliver lasting success, with limited appearances and only one goal and one assist for the Italian spell.
Ronaldo’s case, he says, should not overshadow the league’s standing — the Saudi Pro League remains among the world’s best, perhaps seventh or eighth, and historically the best in the Arab world. Yet he acknowledges that competition is now driven by club budgets and management.
On refereeing, he notes reforms and recalls hiring English referee Howard Webb to help fix officiating, insisting he does not believe in conspiracies but argues for scheduling key matches on Thursdays to attract top foreign referees.
He also jokes about the “Hilal Curse,” admitting he was one of the club’s most generous backers yet says lack of consensus among fans around him is a kind of curse.
Who is Abdullah bin Mosaid? A highly successful Saudi sports entrepreneur, he led Al Hilal for 18 months (2002-2004) and founded the United World group in 2018, a major driver of sports investment. His portfolio spans international clubs, including a stake in Sheffield United, where he rose to co-president and helped push the club toward the Premier League.
By 2021 he owned Châteauroux in France, and also had interests in Kerala United in India and Beerschot in Belgium. In 2020 he launched Al Hilal United in Dubai, with aims to discover talent and strengthen Saudi clubs while exporting players internationally.
The broader aim, he says, is to build a pipeline that strengthens Saudi football for generations to come and to position the league as a major exporter of talent around the world.
So, the grand plan is to nurture a homegrown core while leveraging marquee stars to raise the league’s profile, ensuring Saudi football thrives long after the last whistle—and that even your annual budget meeting leaves room for a smile.
Punchline 1: Ronaldo’s salary is so big, even my bank account needs a goalkeeper. Punchline 2: If football contracts were fashion, Ronaldo would own the season—and the closet, too.
