Fede Valverde praised his former Real Madrid teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, for the rapid “progress” of the Saudi Pro League.
The Portuguese striker caused a shock wave around the world when he announced his decision to sign for Al-Nassr after the 2022 World Cup. His departure for the Middle East triggered an influx of superstar signatures in the Saudi Pro League during the summer, including Ballon d’Or Karim Benzema and Brazilian striker Neymar, respectively at Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal.
Valverde had the chance to share a locker room with Ronaldo and Benzema at Real Madrid. The Uruguayan midfielder hailed Ronaldo as a pioneer in the development of football in the Middle East. Speaking to journalists, Valverde said: “I think there has been a lot of progress with the players who came here. For example, Cristiano, who is at the origin of all this. This shows what they want to do and it is important to have players of this quality.”
The Pro League continues to attract players because of its high salary structures, and even Mohamed Salah, from Liverpool, is linked to a transfer to Riyadh. However, Valverde also specified that even a blank check would not convince him to choose Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career, because he appreciates his time with whites.
“It’s really impossible for me to go to the Saudi League,” he added to Movistar. “There is no chance. 10, 20 or 30 million will not change my life. I’m at Real Madrid, the best club in the world. I love my life in Madrid, the same goes for my family and that’s all.”
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