Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo has urged Cristriano Ronaldo to make the switch to the Saudi Arabian league following his mutually agreed sacking from Manchester United.
The Portugal captain is looking for a new club and has been approached by Al Nassr and Al-Hilal, who are willing to offer outrageous terms to tempt Ronaldo.
And Ighalo, who has played for both Manchester United and Al-Hilal, believes the league would benefit from the legendary striker’s presence in the competition.
“I would love for him to do that,” Ighalo told The Athletic. “I would love for him to come to Saudi Arabia because he would boost the league and add more fans to the league.
“People who aren’t watching yet will start to engage with the league and see something they’re missing.”
Ronaldo is understood to prefer a move to a European club, particularly one in the Champions League, but no such offers have been received at this time.
A decision is not expected before the end of Portugal’s World Cup campaign and the striker is hoping to impress in Qatar to broaden his options.
Ighalo certainly wants Ronaldo to join him in Saudi Arabia, but understands that the striker’s intentions may lie elsewhere.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is very ambitious, and I think he will want to play for a Champions League team and finish his career well, but you can never tell,” he says.
“He has a decision to make. I wish him all the best in that decision and hope he comes to Saudi Arabia.”
With Saudi Arabia looking to boost its sporting profile ahead of the 2030 World Cup bid, Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has outlined his hopes of bringing both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the league.
Bringing Ronaldo to the table would be a big step in the ambitious Saudi plan, and Ighalo warned the free agent that he shouldn’t expect an easy ride.
“Before I came, I thought the league would be easy but now, having played for two seasons, I know it is one of the toughest in the region.
“Al Hilal won the AFC Champions League in 2019 and 2021 and qualified for the Club World Cup. The league is growing faster than I expected. More foreign players, coaches and the federation support him and that can be seen reflected in the Saudi team.”
