Saudi Stars, Global Ambition: Ronaldo, Mahrez, and the Making of a New Football Era

Although the beginnings were controversial and filled with doubt, the story today is told in a markedly different tone; names once rumored to seek a soft exit from football have become symbols of a Saudi project and its leaders driving a fundamental shift in the Middle East game.

Led by Cristiano Ronaldo and Riyad Mahrez, what we witness now is not a passing experiment but an ongoing epic, written on Saudi soil where passion renews and old rules are rewritten.

Those who believed in the idea before its contours were complete are now its loudest champions and living proof that glory is seized with resolve and faith, not handed out on a silver platter.

The Fantasy Deal

The Saudi project began its marquee pursuit with Ronaldo’s arrival at Al Nassr in January 2023; many doubted a Portuguese icon would join the Roshen League, widely viewed as Europe’s crown jewel in waiting.

Ronaldo trusted the project and told fans that more stars would follow, a belief that convinced many that the gamble would pay off.

Sure enough, within six months a wave of historic signings swept across Saudi clubs, turning the idea into a tangible, headline-grabbing reality.

A Historic Project

Summer 2023 proved transformative in Saudi football, a season unlike any before as the biggest clubs reset the market and redraw the star map.

No longer was the Roshen League just another competition; it became a global destination attracting luminous names from five continents.

In Al Hilal, Brazilian star Neymar Jr arrived, leaving Paris Saint-Germain to begin a new chapter in Riyadh.

Neymar’s move wasn’t merely a transfer; it signaled that Saudi Arabia had entered the elite circle of world football with confidence, ready to duel Europe for headlines and glory.

Al Hilal also signed a string of big names, including Portuguese Rubén Neves, Serbian Sergej Milinković-Savić, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

In Jeddah’s Al Ittihad, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté arrived, sending a loud message that the club aimed to craft a new global chapter.

In Al Ahli, the roster grew with Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy, Merih Demiral, and Roger Ibanez, while the two Liverpool veterans Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum joined Al Ittihad to add more star power to the project.

Leaders of the Project

The group has been described as the long-term spearheads of the Saudi project aimed at challenging the world’s top leagues.

After about two and a half seasons, the vision became clear: the real leaders are those who persist, deliver impressive performances, and set new records.

Ronaldo remains the project’s first captain and the most passionate advocate, even if titles have remained elusive so far.

The Al Hilal quartet of Yassine Bounou, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Ruben Neves have been some of the project’s steady pillars, continually writing history with the club on domestic and continental stages.

In Al Ahli, Edouard Mendy, Merih Demiral, Ibanez, and Mahrez continue to deliver exceptional levels, marking them as pivotal leaders of the global undertaking.

At Al Ittihad, Kanté has kept delivering at the highest level, earning a place in France’s national team among Europe’s stars, and his teammate Fabinho has also rejoined the Brazil setup, a sign of the project’s depth.

Even with fresh names arriving, these players remain the league’s most prominent faces, proving the immense talent at play.

Unforeseen Setback

The project also saw the departure of several global names who were expected to achieve much under Ronaldo’s leadership, especially as time wore on and injuries or adaptation ran their course.

Additionally, Henderson left after less than six months due to the extreme heat and the toll it took, while Benzema’s form fluctuated, reminding everyone that even the best can stumble.

Firmino departed after two seasons as well, moving to Qatar, a shift that trimmed the glamour but not the project’s ambitions.

In the end, the experiment did not simply fade; it recalibrated itself and continued to push forward, shaping a new chapter for Saudi football across clubs and fans alike.