The Saudi Infuence. What's next?
On 22nd November 2022, just over a year ago, shockwaves were sent around the footballing world. Manchester United announced that Cristiano Ronaldo was to leave the club by mutual agreement with immediate effect. An explosive interview with Piers Morgan where Ronaldo criticised the head-coach, the owners and the club spelled the end to his second stint at the club. He was now without a home and speculation was rife about where he would go next. Real Madrid? Bayern Munich? A return home to Sporting CP? Earlier on that day, Saudi Arabia had just pulled off one of the World Cup’s greatest ever upsets in toppling Argentina. It took Ronaldo until 31 st December to announce his new club, Saudi team, Al Nassr. His announcement was met with shock, disappointment but also an acceptance. Sadly, we saw it for what it was. A legend of the game, an all-timer, who wasn’t wanted by Europe’s elite and had priced himself out of a romantic return to Sporting CP, deciding to cash in the biggest pay chequ