SUMMARY
- Ronaldo's arrival in 2023 significantly elevated the Saudi league's global profile.
- German pundit, Theo Bucker expressed worries about the league's future once Ronaldo departs.
Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the most influential player in the Saudi Pro League. The 37-year-old has given the Middle Eastern League a new definition. The Saudi Pro League has seen tremendous growth in its popularity since the Portuguese arrived in 2023. with many star players joining the league, the SPL has become one of the most exciting leagues in the world.
History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFC pic.twitter.com/oan7nu8NWC
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) December 30, 2022
However, the league’s days look numbered. A shocking analysis by the German soccer pundit Theo Bucker has alarmed the SPL fans, who fear that the league might soon deteriorate after Cristiano’s departure.
German pundit believes that the Saudi Pro League is nothing without Cristiano Ronaldo
Theo Bucker has considerable knowledge of the soccer in Middle East. The German has previously played for Al-Ittihad in the late 1970s. He then went on to manage a host of clubs in the Arab region including Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.
Based on this, Theo Bucker has provided his insights on the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo on the Saudi Pro League. While the German admitted the former Real Madrid player’s role in uplifting the league, he also posed serious questions about what happens after Cristiano leaves SPL.
🚨Jordan Henderson: “I started watching Saudi League matches after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. Especially in the summer since Ronaldo joined, that have come to make the league better and try to improve it, and hopefully that can continue. Since Cristiano come here,… pic.twitter.com/fgxppMcWfD
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) December 19, 2023
In an interview with the Saudi daily newspaper Arriyadiyah, the 75-year-old said (via Diario AS), “Cristiano is a completely different player and he will make Saudi football more advanced in the future and propel it forward, but I’m afraid that once these players like him leave, the level will go back to what it was before.”
He asked the players from the Saudi League to learn as much as they can from Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he also called on the league authorities to make SPL more sustainable. Otherwise, Theo Bucker fears that the Saudi Pro League might lose the status that it has earned in the past couple of years.
CR7’s girlfriend hints at his retirement plan
Theo Bucker’s worst nightmare might soon turn into reality. Cristiano Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodriguez might have just reaffirmed the fact that CR7 might retire soon. The mishap happened during the Paris Fashion Week 2024. Georgina stole the show wearing a dress with his partner’s name written on it.
However, a backstage conversation between the Argentine and a model has sparked huge debate. The 30-year-old could be heard saying, “Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know.”
🎙️ Georgina Rodriguez at Paris Fashion Week yesterday appears to confirm the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career is coming:
“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know.” 😢🇵🇹
(🎥 @ArobaseGiovanny) pic.twitter.com/kZUgjt9pKx
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 2, 2024
If the news is true, then it might raise some questions about the Portuguese player’s fitness. The Al-Nassr captain is still going strong for his club and is the top scorer of the SPL 23/24 season. He is also a regular for the Portuguese National side and fans would expect him to play at least till the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
However, it looks like Cristiano has already started discussing his retirement with his girlfriend and family. It would be a huge loss for the soccer game as a whole if such an icon of the sport were to retire.