Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabia switch another symbol of Chinese football’s decline
- Ronaldo’s arrival at Al Nassr captured global attention, but in alternate world he may well have been destined for move to Chinese Super League
- Striker’s Saudi move highlights shift within Asian football that started before pandemic and which continues to have significant impact
Cristiano Ronaldo’s headline-grabbing arrival at Al Nassr on a bumper pay deal captured global attention last month, but in an alternate world the five-time Ballon d’Or winner may well have been destined for a move further east.
The Portuguese striker’s Saudi Arabia switch following the cancellation of his Manchester United contract has highlighted a shift within Asian football that started before the pandemic and which continues to have a significant impact.
With money pouring into clubs often owned by debt-fuelled property developers, the Chinese Super League (CSL) had been enticing an increasing number of leading players and coaches to the country since early last decade.
Shanghai SIPG’s 2016 signing of Brazilian duo Oscar and Hulk for combined transfer fees of €130 million (US$141.27 million) highlighted the intent of a league that had already attracted World Cup-winning coaches Marcello Lippi and Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Carlos Tevez’s arrival at Shanghai Shenhua soon after on a rumoured £600,000 (US$743,820) per week only confirmed China’s status as football’s latest El Dorado.
Authorities concerned about overspending tightened regulations but did little to cool speculation that the game’s biggest names were China-bound and it came as little surprise when both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were linked with CSL clubs.