The landscape of Middle Eastern football is bracing for a seismic shift as rumors intensify regarding a potential “changing of the guard” in the Saudi Pro League.
With Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly training away from the Al Nassr first team and growing increasingly disillusioned with the league’s recent transfer strategies, the ambitious Saudi project is looking for a new face to lead its global expansion.
Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian King and Liverpool’s talisman, has emerged as the undisputed priority for the upcoming summer window.
As Liverpool’s Premier League title defense falters and the club looks toward a structural rebuild under Arne Slot, the possibility of Salah making a record-breaking move to Riyadh is becoming a tangible reality.
The situation surrounding Ronaldo, now 41, remains the subject of intense speculation.
Despite being the league’s mascot since 2023, the Portuguese legend’s absence from recent fixtures against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad has fueled reports of an impending exit.
While European giants may hesitate due to his age and wage demands, an emotional return to his roots at Sporting Lisbon is gaining momentum.
This move would fulfill a long-held wish of his mother, Dolores Aveiro, who has publicly stated her desire to see her son wear the green and white stripes once more before he hangs up his boots.
Saudi Pro League Pivots to Salah as Ronaldo’s Future Clouds
Should the Al Nassr captain depart, Mohamed Salah represents the perfect heir to the throne.
Beyond his world-class scoring ability, Salah is a cultural icon in Egypt and across the entire Arab world—the primary demographic for the league’s viewership.
With his contract at Anfield set to expire in 2027, this summer represents the final opportunity for Liverpool to command a staggering transfer fee for their legendary winger.
For a club in transition, the financial windfall from a Salah sale could provide the necessary capital to refresh the squad for a new era.
The implications of this double move would be historic.
While Ronaldo’s departure would mark the end of the league’s initial “Galactico” phase, Salah’s arrival would signify a new chapter of sustained regional and global relevance.
For the Saudi Pro League, securing the signature of the greatest Arab player in history is not just a sporting objective, but a statement of intent.
As the season nears its end, the footballing world awaits to see if the torch will truly pass from the Portuguese icon to the Egyptian King in the heart of the Middle East.
