No one would watch Saudi League if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves – Former Real Madrid footballer, Toni Kroos

Former Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos has backed Cristiano Ronaldo following reports that the Al Nassr forward went on a brief strike, insisting the Saudi Pro League owes its global relevance to the Portuguese star.

Kroos was reacting to Ronaldo’s decision to miss two matches after reportedly growing frustrated by the lack of major signings during the winter transfer window.

Ronaldo did not feature in Al Nassr’s match against Al-Riyadh on the day the transfer window closed and also missed the subsequent clash against Al-Ittihad.

Speaking on the situation, Kroos said the league’s rise in global attention was solely down to Ronaldo’s arrival.

“The Saudi league is a strange phenomenon. No one had heard of it before the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, and now they disrespect the man who put them on the world map,” he said.

He added, “If Cristiano leaves tomorrow, this league will lose all its charm. Without Ronaldo, no one would see the Saudi league.”