Rabat – Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has delivered sharp criticism of the Saudi Pro League, arguing that its global attention is almost entirely tied to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Kroos, who shared a locker room with the Portuguese star for nearly a decade at Real Madrid, believes the league would struggle to maintain relevance without him.
Speaking to Foot Mercato, Kroos said: “The Saudi league is a strange world. Nobody really knew about it before Cristiano arrived. Now they show little respect to the player who gave them international fame.”
The World Cup winner went further, stressing that Ronaldo’s presence is the main reason the competition is followed outside the region. “I tell you, if Ronaldo leaves tomorrow, nobody will watch this league anymore,” Kroos added.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in early 2023, a move that sparked a wave of signings from Europe and brought unprecedented media coverage to Saudi football.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner refused to play in two league matches, protesting what he saw as unfair treatment by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
Ronaldo believed rival clubs, especially Al Hilal, were receiving stronger backing in the transfer market, leaving Al Nassr at a disadvantage.
His arrival was seen as the turning point that pushed the league into global headlines. Clubs soon invested heavily in attracting stars, but Kroos suggests that the foundation remains fragile, built on Ronaldo’s influence rather than long-term sporting credibility.
Kroos’s remarks came at a time when Ronaldo himself was making headlines for going on strike at Al Nassr.
The comments show a broader debate about the sustainability of Saudi Arabia’s football project. While the league has secured big names and lucrative contracts, questions remain about whether it can stand on its own once Ronaldo eventually departs.
