Cologne (SID) – Saudi Arabia’s sports minister hopes soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will play in the Gulf States’ league. “Everything is possible, I would like to see him play in the Saudi League,” said Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the Portuguese, who recently ended his contract with English giants Manchester United.
“It will be good for the league and the whole country, and it will be a source of inspiration for the youth,” Al-Faisal said. Ronaldo is a role model for many children and has a large fan base in Saudi Arabia. However, the five-times world footballer announced a few days ago that he had already rejected a paid offer from a Saudi club.
The Minister of Sports also confirmed his desire to host the 2030 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. “Any country in the world would love to host a World Cup,” he said. The kingdom plans to make a joint bid with Greece and Egypt.
Saudi Arabia has greatly increased its investment in international sports in recent years. For example, billions have been invested in the professional golf chain LIV, and the English Premier League club Newcastle United has been taken over by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. In addition, Ronaldo’s rival, Argentine Lionel Messi, is the country’s tourism ambassador.
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