Saudi Prince Criticizes League's Foreign Player Reliance

A prominent figure in Saudi Arabian sports has voiced sharp criticism of the Saudi Pro League's strategy of signing high-profile foreign players, stating that only Cristiano Ronaldo justifies his substantial salary amid concerns over the impact on domestic talent.

Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad, who served as Saudi Arabia's sports minister from 2014 to 2017, made the remarks during an interview on AlArabiya's Fi AlMarama program. He praised Ronaldo, the Portuguese forward who joined Al-Nassr in January 2023, as the sole import delivering value commensurate with his earnings. "Ronaldo is the only foreign player who deserves his salary thanks to the international renown he brings to the league and the country," the prince said. Ronaldo's annual salary is estimated at 211 million, making him one of the highest-paid athletes in global soccer.

The prince argued that many other foreign stars receive compensation far exceeding their contributions. For comparison, he noted salaries such as Riyad Mahrez's 69 million per year at Al-Ahli, Karim Benzema's 58 million at Al-Ittihad, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's 30 million at Al-Hilal. Since Ronaldo's arrival, the league has attracted a roster of...