Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has voiced strong concerns about the Saudi Pro League amid the ongoing dispute involving Cristiano Ronaldo and his club, Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo, who leads the attack for Al-Nassr, has missed the club’s last two fixtures. His absence is linked to a disagreement with the team’s owners, a development that has continued to attract global attention.
Kroos addressed the issue during a conversation with Bryan Nassr. He noted that the league’s present global visibility is largely tied to the Portuguese superstar, who previously played alongside him at Real Madrid.
“The Saudi league is a world apart. Nobody knew about it before Cristiano arrived. Now they’re not respecting the man who made them famous worldwide,” he said via Foot Mercato.
“I’m telling you, if Ronaldo leaves tomorrow, no one will watch this league anymore.”
Both players shared the pitch at Real Madrid between 2014 and 2018, a period that saw the Spanish club dominate European football. Ronaldo later moved to Juventus after his time in Spain.
Kroos ended his professional career in 2024 after an accomplished run that included winning the FIFA World Cup and featuring for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Despite being older than the retired German midfielder, Ronaldo has continued to deliver strong performances in Saudi Arabia, supported by impressive statistics since his arrival.
The Portuguese forward signed a deal with Al-Nassr last summer, with the contract scheduled to run until 2027. However, recent tensions between the player and the club have raised doubts about whether he will see out the agreement.
