The AC Milan ahead opened up on a chat he had with Cristiano Ronaldo throughout a current go to to Saudi Arabia.
The ever-growing checklist of world-renowned skills becoming a member of Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia this summer time hasn’t stunned Rafael Leao one bit.
As Ronaldo stated in Madrid final month, his January transfer to Al Nassr “opened the field”. The ahead’s arrival marked the beginning of a brand new period in Saudi Arabian soccer. It has seen among the world’s greatest gamers comply with in his wake. These embody Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema, World Cup winner N’Golo Kante, and most just lately Marcelo Brozovic.
Now Leao has revealed Ronaldo all the time believed this may occur. The pair spoke in regards to the Saudi Professional League’s future throughout Leao’s go to to Saudi Arabia in January. The Portuguese ahead was within the nation for AC Milan’s Supercoppa Italiana sport towards Inter Milan, which the Crimson and Blacks misplaced 3-0.
“Cristiano stated to me ‘nice gamers will come quickly right here’,” Leao stated throughout a fan Q&A session on YouTube.
“He heard some information. So I used to be roughly conscious that the Arab market would revolutionize as a result of they’ve very nice monetary energy. Cristiano additionally informed me that the league will turn into very sturdy. With the signings which might be being seen, I feel it is going to turn into a really attention-grabbing league.”
This summer time, the Public Funding Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia took over 4 of the nation’s main soccer golf equipment. These groups are Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli. Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal have been the highest three golf equipment within the top-flight league final season. Al-Ahli was the champion of the second-tier league.
The PIF’s takeover has elevated the switch funds accessible to those golf equipment. The Saudi Professional League doesn’t have Europe’s monetary honest play guidelines both, so the groups can supply gamers enormous salaries with out penalties.
In accordance with Transfermarkt, Saudi Professional League golf equipment have accomplished 81 signings to date this summer time. They’ve spent a complete of €143.6 million on switch charges. The most costly signing is Ruben Neves. The Portuguese midfielder joined Al-Hilal from the English group Wolves this month for a €55 million charge.
