Infantino stuns football world by backing Ronaldo’s bold Saudi league claim

A debate reignited at the top of football

According to MARCA, comments made by Cristiano Ronaldo about the standard and growth of the Saudi Pro League have received public backing from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a rare alignment between the sport’s most powerful administrator and one of its most outspoken stars.

The discussion around Saudi football has moved well beyond short term spending or star signings. Instead, it is increasingly being framed as a structural shift with long term consequences for the global game.

Infantino echoes Ronaldo’s assessment

Infantino supported Ronaldo’s view that the Saudi Pro League has undergone a significant transformation since the Portuguese forward joined Al Nassr in late 2022. Rather than focusing solely on performances on the pitch, Infantino pointed to the league’s growing international visibility.

He argued that the competition has evolved from a largely regional tournament into one that attracts sponsors, broadcasters and internationally recognised players, reshaping how it is perceived beyond the Middle East.

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From controversy to credibility

Ronaldo previously sparked widespread debate when he suggested the Saudi Pro League had already surpassed some established European leagues, including those in France and Portugal. The remarks drew criticism from parts of the European football establishment.

While Infantino did not directly rank leagues, he aligned himself with the broader message behind Ronaldo’s comments. He said Saudi Arabia has become an important hub on the world football stage and added that the league is on its way to becoming one of the top three domestic competitions globally.

World cup ambitions strengthen the narrative

Infantino linked the league’s development to Saudi Arabia’s broader football strategy, referencing FIFA’s confirmation of the country as host of the 2034 World Cup after submitting the only bid.

According to MARCA, the FIFA president highlighted the country’s organisational capacity, its expanding football culture and FIFA’s stated objective of growing the sport in new regions. He also described the Saudi Pro League as a national league with a global flavor, pointing to high profile arrivals such as Neymar following the trail set by Ronaldo.

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A long term project beyond investment

Infantino also addressed Saudi Arabia’s prospects at the 2026 World Cup, where the national team is expected to face a challenging group that includes Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde. While acknowledging the difficulty, he suggested that another surprise similar to the victory over Argentina in 2022 cannot be ruled out.

He framed Saudi football’s evolution as a comprehensive, long term project aimed at building competitiveness, credibility and continuity, rather than relying solely on financial power.

Sources, MARCA

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