Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad, the former Sports Minister of Saudi Arabia, has controversially asserted that Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the singular foreign player within the Saudi Pro League who genuinely merits his exorbitant, multi-million dollar salary. In stark contrast to his praise for Ronaldo, Prince Bin Mosaad levied sharp criticism against a number of other foreign players currently competing in the league, accusing their respective clubs of overpaying them with wages that far exceed their actual abilities and contributions.
Prince Bin Mosaad served as Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister from 2014 to 2017. His tenure concluded notably before the recent surge in foreign player acquisitions by Saudi clubs, a trend that has significantly reshaped the competitive landscape of the Saudi Pro League. The 60-year-old Prince expressed deep concerns regarding this influx of international talent, cautioning that it could inadvertently lead to the marginalization and loss of highly skilled local players, thereby jeopardizing the future strength and development of the national team. During an interview with Fi Al Marama TV, the former minister strongly advocated for measures to safeguard Saudi players and ensure the league maintains a high standard of competition, particularly as the nation prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034. Saudi Arabia, a prominent Middle Eastern nation, successfully secured the bidding rights for the prestigious global tournament.
Prince Bin Mosaad reiterated his critique of certain foreign players currently plying their trade in Saudi Arabia, asserting that their wages are disproportionately high and do not align with their actual on-field capabilities. He drew a sharp contrast with the situation of Cristiano Ronaldo, the 40-year-old veteran forward, whom he singled out as the sole player truly deserving of a multi-million dollar salary within the league. “Ronaldo is the only foreign player who truly merits an astronomically high wage,” Prince Bin Mosaad stated definitively. “His unparalleled global fame has been instrumental in significantly boosting the visibility of our football league and elevating Saudi Arabia’s international profile. In contrast, many other players are being excessively compensated by their clubs, receiving far more than their performance warrants.”
Furthermore, the Prince voiced concerns that the current policy allowing up to eight foreign players per team in the league could detrimentally impact the development of the next generation of local Saudi youth talent. He emphatically urged both the Saudi government and its sports institutions to formulate and implement a comprehensive and precise plan to adequately prepare for the significant undertaking of hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
