In 2019, one of the most famous soccer players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, was signed by Saudi Arabia in a major sports deal. This move was considered to be one of the biggest investments that the country ever made in regards to soccer. Reportedly, the Saudi Arabian General Sport Authority gave Ronaldo a whopping $112 million contract. This was a huge boost for the soccer scene in Saudi Arabia and one that set the standard for future investments in the sport.
This move naturally garnered a lot of attention, getting people all around the world talking about it. Some people were not surprised by Ronaldo’s move, citing that his profile, soccer skills and marketing presence were likely to persuade Saudi Arabia to invest in him. In addition, over the years, Saudi Arabia has been slowly investing in the sport, even having hosted some key international matches. This move was widely seen as a strategic move to improve the country’s image.
However, many people were surprised by the giant investment and some commentators even argued that this could be viewed as a questionable move. This is because the most money that Ronaldo had ever signed for was when he went to Real Madrid in 2009, at a reported £80 million. Nevertheless, Ronaldo himself seems to be content with his new club, saying in 2019 that, “Saudi Arabia is the key to achieving my dream of becoming an iconic footballer”.
Despite Ronaldo’s optimism however, analysts and experts have different views on the contract. While some view it as a windfall, many believe it to be generous to the point of excessive. According to Tom Coper, a prominent sports lawyer, part of the reason for the huge contract could due to the fact that there is no European competition in Saudi Arabia, giving Ronaldo a unique appeal. Nevertheless, Coper believes that this could diminish the quality of football in the country, as teams become increasingly dependent on celebrity players, pointing out that the investment in Ronaldo doesn’t confirm with the goals of creating a professional soccer scene.
On the other hand, supporters of the deal contend that it could be just what Saudi Arabia needs in order to promote the sport and encourage worldwide admiration of it. Many point to the significant investment in professional teams, stadiums and broadcasting rights as evidence that there is potential for the sport to grow exponentially in the country, and that the signing of Ronaldo is only the beginning.
Ultimately, the effects of the contract between Ronaldo and Saudi Arabia remain to be seen. Until then, speculation will continue to be the main source of knowledge for this landmark deal.
F economics of the deal
Despite the large sum of money related to his move to Saudi Arabia, the finance involved is still largely shrouded in mystery. Nonetheless, some commentators have noted that the move was theoretically beneficial for Ronaldo, benefitting from Saudi Arabia’s favourable gambling tax. As such, the $112 million investment may actually have ended up being less than what his previous clubs had paid.
On the other hand, it remains uncertain what Saudi Arabian football clubs could have accomplished with the spending allocated to Ronaldo’s deal. The questions are particularly relevant considering the past experiences of other clubs, who have been known to spend large amounts of money on marquee signings, but still ended up facing relegation. To some, the move was a risky investment that seemed to contradict the intentions of developing professional soccer in the country.
Potential ramification of the deal
Whether it is ultimately successful of unsuccessful, with regards to soccer, the financial and strategic ramifications of the Ronaldo deal are likely to have long-lasting effects on the sport in Saudi Arabia. Some have said that this landmark move could serve as an example for other teams to follow, and as a demonstration of the country’s ambition when it comes to soccer. Others, however, have argued that such a large-scale commitment could divert attention and resources away from grassroots football.
Moreover, there are claims that this move, as well as other similar deals, could lead to a series of subpar performances in the future, as teams come to rely on star players rather than consistent playing staff. This could mean that while at first glance, the investment paid off, the consequences may be felt in the long-run if the Saudi Arabian soccer leagues fail to reach the promised potential.
Controversies and Criticisms
In addition to the financial and performance Worries, the move has received criticism from various quarters. For instance, some have argued that the tens of millions allocated to Ronaldo could have been better used on social projects in Saudi Arabia that could benefit a greater number of people. Also, some are of the opinion that this deal is a result of a morally dubious sponsorship of Ronaldo by the Saudi Arabian General Sport Authority and part of a wider trend of investing in soccer veterans instead of developing emerging talent.
To this end, the deal has been both praised for its potential to bolster Saudi Arabia’s stature in the eyes of the world, as well as criticised for its questionable morality. However, only time will tell what the long-term effects of this investment will be.
Media Reactions
As expected, news outlets all around the world reported on the story with varying reactions. Within Saudi Arabia, the move was welcomed and supported, with several local media outlets praising the investment in Ronaldo as a sign of the country’s admiration for the sport. North of the border, media from neighbouring Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates welcomed the move, indicating that the deal was a big step forward for the sport in the region.
Further afield, reactions were still largely positive, even if some commentators argued that the move was rather extravagant, particularly given the current turbulent international political atmosphere. In the soccer scene itself, the voices were still largely positive and even relieved that such a high-profile transfer had gone smoothly.
Reactions of football fans
Naturally, football fans were not reluctant to express their thoughts on the move either. For the most part, supporters and pundits alike praised the deal and welcomed it as a sign of the immense and growing influence of soccer in Saudi Arabia. As one commentator said on social media; “No matter your opinion, this is definitely a huge step forward for the soccer scene in the Gulf, and one that might even ignite more foreign investment in the sport in the future.”
On the other hand, it is worth noting that some pundits were less willing to shower the move in praise. To some, this was merely an example of another transfer that prioritised big name rather than the development of young talent. As one football fan put it; “Sure Ronaldo’s a great player, but why does it always have to be the same names? Surely there’s some local talent that could be supported and nurtured?”.
Future potential of Ronaldo
Regardless of the criticism and controversy, it seems like Ronaldo has made a very conscious decision to go to Saudi Arabia, and it might even be strategic from a business point of view. In addition to having one of the top soccer league in the world, Saudi Arabia is also one of the most competitive countries when it comes to building iconic and lucrative brands. This could be the perfect opportunity for Ronaldo to set up shop and expand his brand beyond the boundaries of soccer.
Moreover, as part of his contractual obligations, Ronaldo is also expected to become involved in a number of charity projects, such as the “Football Aid for All” initiative and the recently launched ”Roots” project, a huge youth development program in the region. Through these initiatives, he could establish himself as a cultural ambassador for the region, further expanding his global influence.
