Former Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad believes Cristiano Ronaldo is the only foreign player in the Saudi Pro League whose high salary is justified, citing the global exposure he brings to the league and the country.
Speaking on Fi Al-Marama on Al-Arabiya, the former minister warned that the rapid influx of foreign stars has pushed local players to the sidelines and could harm the national team ahead of the 2034 World Cup.
He called for reducing the number of foreign players allowed per matchday from eight to seven, investing more in youth development, and hiring top coaches for junior categories.
Prince Abdullah added that building a competitive league should not come at the cost of weakening Saudi football’s long-term future. He also suggested scheduling major matches on Thursdays to allow top European referees to officiate.
