Saudi Prince: Only Ronaldo Deserves High League Salary

A prominent figure in Saudi Arabian sports has sparked debate over the kingdom's lucrative push to attract global soccer stars, declaring that only Cristiano Ronaldo truly merits his multimillion-dollar salary in the Saudi Pro League. Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad, who served as sports minister from 2014 to 2017, made the remarks during an interview on Al Arabiya's Fi Al Marama television program, highlighting concerns about the league's spending model and its effects on domestic talent.

The prince praised Ronaldo's contributions since joining Al Nassr in January 2023, following a mutual contract termination with Manchester United. "Ronaldo is the only foreign player who deserves his salary thanks to the international renown he brings to the league and the country," Prince Abdullah said. The Portuguese forward, now 40, reportedly earns about 211 million annually, or 4 million weekly, making him the highest-paid player in the league. His presence has drawn widespread attention, including a recent high-profile visit to the White House alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

However, the prince criticized the compensation for other...