Cristiano Ronaldo left red-faced over Saudi attendance as just 22% show up to watch him

Despite being the poster boy of the Saudi Pro League, it seems that Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the country has done little to boost local interest long term as the league continues to struggle with low attendances.

Ronaldo’s switch to Al-Nassr was hailed as a game-changer in world football. Fans, players and pundits alike expressed concerns that the league could even overshadow some of Europe’s biggest divisions as teams started splurging on top-tier talent.

However, despite high-profile signings like Neymar, Sadio Mane, Steven Gerrard and Karim Benzema, the sport doesn’t seem to be gaining traction in Saudi Arabia as many had anticipated. In what could be seen as a blow to Ronaldo’s ego, statistics reveal that only 35.8% and 12.3% of seats were filled for Al-Nassr’s first two games of the new season.

Al Nassr’s home draw against Al Raed saw an attendance of just 8,951 in a 25,000 capacity stadium, while their 4-1 victory over Al Feiha attracted a mere 4,195 spectators in a 34,000-seat arena. These figures suggest that Ronaldo, accustomed to playing in front of massive crowds at Old Trafford and the Santiago Bernabeu, has so far performed for a meagre 13,146 fans this season out of a possible 59,000, equating to a dismal 22%.

Concerns over dwindling match attendances have been a topic of hot debate when it comes to the Saudi Pro League. Despite teams still snapping up star talents, it’s suggested that the sport’s expansion in the region may not be going as planned, reports the Mirror.

Some of the high-profile signings are already heading back to Europe, with former Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson and Newcastle’s ex-winger Allan Saint-Maximin cutting their Middle Eastern adventures short, opting for moves to Ajax and Fenerbahce, respectively. Yet, Ronaldo begs to differ on the bleak outlook.

In a chat with Rio Ferdinand for his UR Cristiano Youtube channel, the Portuguese talisman mulled over his newfound residency and shared his enchantment with Saudi Arabia.

“It’s spiritual, you can feel the energy,” he said. “They (also) have the Red Sea, even in the mountains they have snow, they have everything. It’s a lovely country and I love to be there with my family. The adaptation for me wasn’t too difficult and I’m happy there.”

Questioned by Ferdinand on the Saudi Pro League’s potential hardships, the former Real Madrid ace conceded that each league has its unique challenges. Although he admitted the climate was a significant hurdle to overcome, Ronaldo stood firm in his conviction regarding the quality and growth of the league.

“All the leagues are different and in my opinion, people speak more than they really know,” Ronaldo said. “All leagues in my opinion have issues, but the league, and other players will tell you this, it’s not easy. It’s very difficult, plus the weather is very hot and when it’s hot it’s more difficult to maintain the level of the game.”

He added: “In my opinion the league is very, very good and they still grow and improve. I’m happy as I was the pioneer for the country in football so I’m glad of that.”