Saudi Arabia’s sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, has admitted that he would like to see Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo playing in the Saudi league and that “anything is possible.” ????????This would benefit the league, the sports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and inspire the youth for the future.???????? He [Cristiano Ronaldo] he is a role model for many children and has a huge fan base in Saudi Arabia,” Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told the BBC on Friday.
The former car driver and member of the royal family’s wish comes after Ronaldo, who left Manchester United, said in an interview with British television that he had turned down an offer to €350 million to join a Saudi club.
The minister also said that Saudi Arabia would “certainly” support offers from its private sector to buy English clubs, such as the historic Manchester United or Liverpoolsince “there is a great passion for football in Saudi Arabia”.
“We will certainly support the arrival of a private investor as we know it will have a positive impact on the kingdom’s sport,” added Prince Abdulaziz, acknowledging that this would increase the chances of hosting a World Cup in the future.
Saudi Arabia, highly criticized by human rights organizations, bought the English club Newcastle United last year, thanks to a consortium formed by the Saudi investment fund PCP Capital Partners and the brothers David and Simão Rubens.
Source: Observadora
