The only team to defeat the eventual champions in Qatar, Saudi Arabia made headlines in November by defeating Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, but there was still time for a bigger shock in 2022. On December 6, Saudi Professional League (SPL) club Al Nassr posted on social media that they had signed Cristiano Ronaldo to a deal that would last for two and a half years and reportedly pay more than $200 million annually. It's a deal that could have a big impact on the team, the nation, and the wider football community both on and off the field.

Al Nassr's interest in the Portuguese superstar, who has won five Ballon d'Ors—the award given annually to the world's best player—and the same number of UEFA Champions Leagues—had been rumoured for months, but they were largely dismissed. However, a transfer was made possible after Ronaldo left Manchester United in December, angering the club because of a fiery interview he gave criticising the manager and owners. However, few anticipated that one of the greatest players in the history of the sport would actually sign with a Saudi club.

But James Dorsey, a senior fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute, told Al Jazeera that Saudi football should not be underestimated. “Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern football powerhouse and has made it out of the group stage at past World Cups,” Dorsey said. “They have more and more good foreign players and now they have Ronaldo.” The 37-year-old’s SPL debut is set to come against Ettifaq on Sunday, game 14 of a 30-game season. Al Nassr, who last won in 2019, are currently top of the league with a talented squad. Brazilian attacker Anderson Talisca is the top scorer in the SPL this season, while 2018 South American Player of the Year, Pity Martinez, pulls the creative strings.