![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 13, 2024; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Al Nassr player Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after being substituted in a Saudi Pro League soccer match at King Abdullah Sports City.](https://statico.profootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/09160812/no-one-will-watch-this-02-09-26.jpg "‘No One Will Watch This’ -- Toni Kroos Fires Warning to Saudi League About Disrespecting Cristiano Ronaldo")
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has never been a fan of the Saudi Pro League. However, the former German midfielder has warned that the league could fall apart if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves.
Toni Kroos Says Saudi Pro League Would Lose Its Audience if Cristiano Ronaldo Leaves
Kroos has been critical of young players moving to Saudi Arabia, and fans made their feelings known during his final game in the country with Real Madrid. The German was booed and whistled at during the Spanish Supercopa matches, though Los Blancos defeated Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to lift the trophy.
The former Bayern Munich star admitted he was taken aback by the reaction but insisted he remains no fan of the league. However, he acknowledged the importance of Cristiano Ronaldo and has now spoken about the Al-Nassr captain’s protest.
The Portuguese superstar has not played in the past two matches and is set to sit out the AFC Champions League Two game as well. The forward is questioning the distribution of funds to clubs under the PIF umbrella while also fighting for unpaid wages at his club.
He has reportedly issued a transfer ultimatum to league officials, saying he would consider an exit if issues are not resolved quickly. Kroos warned that such a departure would end widespread interest in the league and cause viewership to crash significantly.
Speaking on his podcast, Kroos said: “The Saudi league is a funny place, ‘cayse nobody has heard of them before Cristiano joined, and now they are disrespecting the guy who gave them global recognition. I tell you, if Cristiano leaves tomorrow, nobody watches the league anymore.”
DESTROYS the Saudi Pro League!
🗣️ “If Cristiano leaves tomorrow, this league will lose all interest. 🥶🇸🇦
The Saudi league is a strange phenomenon.
Nobody had ever heard of it before the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. ❌
And now, they’re showing a lack of respect… pic.twitter.com/FX2xEA8Py6
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 9, 2026
Ronaldo has been a key figure behind the rise of the Saudi Pro League, becoming the first high-profile signing from Europe when he joined Al-Nassr in 2022. The Portuguese superstar was a free agent after terminating his contract with Manchester United before the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has since extended his deal with the club through 2027.
He has less than 18 months remaining on his contract, and reports suggest there is a $59 million release clause in his current deal. Turkish clubs are keeping tabs, though a transfer is now considered unlikely.
