Soccer

Former World Cup champion could join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia - report

In the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr, more world-renowned stars could join the Saudi Arabian league.

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Updated on
June 05, 2023 05:37PM EDT

Former World Cup champion could join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia - report

The Saudi Arabian league’s popularity has significantly increased since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January. With the Portuguese star, the Gulf State is now able to continue attracting world-renowned players.

Players who have already shone in Europe are starting to consider the prospect of moving to the Saudi Pro League and land one last lucrative contract before hanging up their boots.

Karim Benzema, for instance, is reportedly set to leave Real Madrid for Al Ittihad in the summer. However, it looks like more stars could follow in his footsteps, including a former World Cup champion.

Report: N’Golo Kante draws interest from Saudi Arabia

According to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, N’Golo Kante has drawn interest both from Al Nassr and Al Ittihad ahead of the 2023-24 season. His contract with Chelsea is up this summer, which is why his future looks uncertain.

Of course, The Blues are reportedly working to tie him down to a new deal, but the French midfielder can still sign a pre-contract with any other club. Kante, 32, missed much of the 2022-23 campaign due to injury.

However, we are still talking about a world-class player who would elevate the Saudi Pro League’s awareness. A World Cup champ in 2018, Kante would definitely be a stellar signing for this competition.

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.