The Portuguese fulfills his mission in Saudi Arabia. But what if the face of the football recovery there turns out to be obscene? Now even Cristiano Ronaldo feels that his employer is an ice-cold investor.
Anyone who buys a new washing machine expects clean laundry. And anyone who buys Cristiano Ronaldo can expect outstanding football publicity. It’s that simple to state a rule that is, in a sense, the foundation of Saudi Arabia’s investment in football. Many see Ronaldo as an iconic athlete worthy of idolization – especially himself – but ultimately it cannot be assumed that the royal family in Riyadh is simply mercilessly in love with football.