Steven Gerrard highlighted the importance of the arrival of Ronaldo in the rising popularity of the Saudi Pro League. (Image: X)
Steven Gerrard was all praise for the Portuguese icon, Cristiano Ronaldo and credited him for the surge in popularity of the Saudi Pro League.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi made their appearances in world football, it has always been a matter of debate about who would finish as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) of the game. After Messi claimed a long-awaited FIFA World Cup title last year, many called the Argentine superstar the best of the game.
Doing justice to their judgement, Messi has recently secured his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or award, which is regarded as the most prestigious individual award in football. Former English footballer Steven Gerrard earlier also recognised Messi as the GOAT. But Ronaldo seems to have become the new favourite of the Liverpool legend.
Gerrard jetted off to Saudi Arabia earlier this summer after accepting the managerial role at Al-Ettifaq. Ronaldo also shifted his base to the Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr last year. The Portuguese goal-machine joined Al-Nassr after ending his association with Manchester United.
Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq has squared off against Al-Nassr two times this season across all competitions. While Al-Ettifaq triumphed in the league fixture, Al-Nassr got the better of them 1-0 in the final of the King Cup of Champions, with former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane scoring the winning goal.
Steven Gerrard recently featured in an interview for the Saudi Pro League. Speaking about the recent emergence of football in Saudi Arabia, Gerrard mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo’s name. The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid goalscorer was the first European footballer to arrive in the shore of Saudi Arabia.