Former Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad said Cristiano Ronaldo – who joined Al Nassr in December 2022 – is the only foreign player in the Saudi Pro League who truly deserves his multi-million-dollar salary.
Prince Abdullah, who was in the post from 2014 to 2017 — before the huge influx of foreign players that has transformed the league — also warned that the influx is sidelining local talent and threatening the national team’s future.
In an interview with the Fi Al-Marama TV program on Al-Arabiya, Abdullah called for urgent reforms to protect Saudi players and ensure competitiveness ahead of the 2034 World Cup, which the kingdom will host.
“Ronaldo is the only foreign player worth what he earns because of the global exposure he brings to the league and the country,” he said of the Portuguese forward whose annual salary has been estimated at $211 million — $4 million a week.
“Many others are paid far more than they deserve.”
Prince Abdullah said Saudi players have become “extras” since the number of foreign players per team on matchdays rose to eight, urging a cut to seven and more investment in youth development.
“Right now, building a strong league is coming at the expense of the national team,” he said. “We need a clear plan to prepare for 2034.”
He also called for hiring elite coaches for youth categories and warned that without structural changes, Saudi players will struggle to regain prominence.
Prince Abdullah, whose concerns about refereeing standards during his tenure led to him appointing former English referee Howard Webb as director of referees for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, also suggested scheduling big matches on Thursdays to enable top European referees to take charge.
Only Ronaldo worth his pay, says Saudi ex-sports chief
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Only Ronaldo worth his pay, says Saudi ex-sports chief
- Prince Abdullah, who was in the post from 2014 to 2017 — before the huge influx of foreign players that has transformed the league — also warned that the influx is sidelining local talent
Man United held to 1-1 draw at home by struggling West Ham
- Man United are eighth in the standings on 22 points, while West Ham remain 18th on 12 points, two adrift of Leeds United in 17th spot
MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United missed the chance to go fifth in the Premier League when they were held 1-1 by West Ham United at Old Trafford on Thursday, a result which keeps the visitors in the relegation zone.
After a scrappy goalless opening half, the hosts took the lead in the 58th minute through Diogo Dalot but West Ham’s Soungoutou Magassa equalized seven minutes from time which led to boos from the home fans at the final whistle.
“Angry and frustrated, that’s it,” Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said.
“We are really inconsistent but if you look at the goal (we conceded), we have a long ball, we have everything under control, we need to do better.
“We knew set pieces would be a problem with the difference in height in the team but we could do it. We could maintain the ball after the first goal and again we lost two points.”
Man United are eighth in the standings on 22 points, while West Ham remain 18th on 12 points, two adrift of Leeds United in 17th spot.
West Ham had the best of the opening half-hour, played at a pedestrian pace, but never really threatened before the hosts began to take control.
We are really inconsistent but if you look at the goal (we conceded), we have a long ball, we have everything under control, we need to do better
Ruben Amorim
Bryan Mbeumo played a one-two from a short corner before trying a looping shot from outside the area which sent West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola scrambling to tip it over the bar.
Amad Diallo put a ball across the box which Joshua Zirkzee sent goalwards with his thigh and Aaron Wan-Bissaka headed off the line, and seconds later Bruno Fernandes’s effort skimmed the outside of the post.
Wan-Bissaka was a rock at the heart of West Ham’s defense against his former club, putting in crucial challenges and keeping his side level going in at the break.
Magassa shot into the side netting early in the second half before Man United found the opening goal. An attempted shot from Casemiro took a deflection and the ball fell kindly for Dalot almost on the penalty spot and he sent his shot on the turn past Areola.
“We are disappointed. At 1-0 with 30 minutes to go we have to control the game more, especially at Old Trafford,” Dalot told Sky Sports.
“We cannot get as anxious as we got after the goal. Maybe we got sloppy with the ball possession. We had the game there. We think it is down to us rather than credit to West Ham.
“It is a good feeling. Every time you get the opportunity to score a goal for a club like this is amazing, especially at the Stretford End.
“But I would change it for the three points.”
The game looked to be petering out to a narrow win for the home side, with West Ham never really looking like finding an equalizer until Jarrod Bowen’s flicked header from a corner was cleared off the line by Noussair Mazraoui and Magassa smashed home.
“It felt amazing. We played a good game, and everyone fought,” Magassa told Sky Sports.
“I am so happy to score my first goal in the Premier League.”
Both teams sprung to life in the final minutes in search of a winner and Fernandes was guilty of a couple of late misses.
