Calderon: The Saudi League has captured the world's attention and is competing with Europe
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon praised the remarkable development of the Saudi Professional League, emphasizing that the astute policy adopted by officials in attracting international stars has raised the level of competition and made it a focus of global attention. In an exclusive interview, Calderon addressed several topics, most notably the football boom in the Kingdom, the brilliance of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, and his assessment of his former team, Real Madrid.
Calderón explained that the Saudi league has seen significant improvement since 2008, but the real leap forward has occurred in recent years. He said, “The officials’ policy was very smart in attracting top players who have contributed to raising the level of competition, making it one of the most watched leagues in the world.” He added, “I believe that in the medium term, it will be able to compete with the level of European football.”.
Background of the ambitious Saudi sports project
This remarkable development comes within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, a national project aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing dependence on oil, with the sports and entertainment sector playing a pivotal role. In the summer of 2023, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced its acquisition of four of the league's top clubs (Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr), injecting massive financial investments that enabled these clubs to make world-class signings. The initial spark was the transfer of the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Nassr in late 2022, which paved the way for the arrival of a constellation of stars such as Karim Benzema, Neymar, Sadio Mané, and Riyad Mahrez, transforming the Saudi league into a magnet for top global talent.
Global impact and vision for the future
The impact of these deals wasn't limited to the local level; it resonated globally. The league's market value skyrocketed, and television broadcasting rights were sold to dozens of countries worldwide, expanding its viewership to unprecedented levels. Calderón emphasized the importance of continuity in this project, stressing the need to develop academies to discover local talent and integrate them into the league to ensure sustained success and attract even larger crowds to matches.
Special praise for Ronaldo and an assessment of Real Madrid's situation
Regarding Cristiano Ronaldo, Calderón described him as "one of the most professional players" he has ever known, noting that his obsession with always being the best drives him to constantly improve. He added, "He is a great example for young people with his relentless spirit of challenge.".
On another note, Calderón analyzed the reasons for Real Madrid's declining results, attributing it to poor planning, the failure to replace key midfielders who had left, and both administrative and technical errors. He criticized current president Florentino Pérez for relying on his personal intuition in decision-making without a dedicated sporting director, arguing that this approach, despite achieving six Champions League titles, has led to recent mistakes in transfer policy.
