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Saudi Pro League hits another new low that could humiliate Cristiano Ronaldo

Home> Football> Saudi Pro League

Updated 16:15 11 Dec 2023 GMTPublished 16:16 11 Dec 2023 GMT

Saudi Pro League hits another new low that could humiliate Cristiano Ronaldo

Not a good look for the fledging Saudi Pro League.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

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Another dismal Saudi Pro League attendance has been recorded with a shockingly low amount of people watching Al Wehda vs. Al Okhdood.

Cristiano Ronaldo's blockbuster transfer to Al Nassr saw the likes of Neymar, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez, among many others, swap Europe for the Middle East.

The PIF-backed Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli recruited heavily as they signed some of the best players in the world.

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But it appears the talent in Saudi Arabia is top heavy. That's judging by the attendances of matches not featuring the heavily invested clubs.

Last Saturday's Saudi Pro League fixture between Al Wehda and Al Okhdood had just 575 people turn up to the £450 million, 62,000-capacity King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.

To put that measly attendance in perspective, 1,842 fans attended Chasetown's 3-2 victory over Witton Albion in the Northern Premier League Division One West - the eight tier of English football.



What's more, several games in the seventh tier of English football boasted attendance figures well over 1,000 over the weekend.

Al Wehda vs. Al Okhdood was one of over 40 Saudi Pro League fixtures with a crowd of under 1,000 people this season.

Some games have seen fewer than 200 people attend.

Despite the woeful attendances in some of the clashes in the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo is confident the league will be among the top five leagues in the future.

"We are much better and the Saudi league is getting better and the next year will be even better," he said.

"Step-by-step I think this league will be among the top five leagues in the world but they need time, players and infrastructure.

"But I believe that this country have amazing potential, they have amazing people and the league will be great in my opinion."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia, Football

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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@NasJabbar

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