SPL: Toni Kroos defends Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo can count on the support of Toni Kroos in his showdown with the Saudi Pro League. The former teammate of CR7 at Real Madrid believes that the Saudi championship owes a large part of its current visibility to the Portuguese.
Since December 2022’s sensational arrival, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a pillar of the Saudi project, and is now at war with the Saudi Pro League. His recent criticisms of the club’s owners over a summer transfer window deemed insufficient have cooled things. His absence in Al-Nassr’s two most recent victories (1-0 against Al-Riyadh, 2-0 against Al-Ittihad) fuels speculation about his departure as early as this summer. A scenario all the more plausible given that his new contract, signed in 2025, would contain a £43 million release clause, exercisable at the end of the season.
As Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr seems more uncertain than ever, the Saudi Pro League’s leadership is already working on life after CR7, with Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) to succeed the five-time Ballon d’Or. In this highly publicized stand-off, Cristiano Ronaldo can count on the support of Toni Kroos. The Portuguese teammate during his time at Real Madrid, the former German international, has harshly criticized the Saudi Pro League. The former midfielder believes that the Saudi championship would not really exist without the arrival of the five-time Ballon d’Or at Al-Nassr.
“The Saudi championship is a world apart. No one knew it before Cristiano’s arrival. And now they disrespect the one who brought them international glory. I tell you, if Ronaldo leaves tomorrow, no one will watch this league anymore.”, he said in an interview given to Bryan Nassr. That statement is sure to provoke a reaction from the Saudi authorities.
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