Saudi Pro League chief Emenalo talks Ronaldo’s influence, says move for Salah not closed

Michael Emenalo says Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in the recent superstar boom experienced in the country’s Pro League.

Emenalo, a former Nigerian international who is the director of football for the Saudi Pro League (SPL), spoke in a chat with Skysports — shortly after the close of the league’s transfer window where a whopping £800million was spent.

Ronaldo had his contract with Manchester United terminated in December last year before making the switch in January to widespread shock.

Since then, players like Karim Benzema, Neymar Jr., Sadio Mane, and a host of big names have joined the five-time Ballon d’Or winner this summer, with Emenalo acknowledging the 38-year-old Portuguese star’s impact.

“Absolutely [Cristiano Ronaldo made the difference]. Given his pedigree, it didn’t hurt that he had the balls to do this. All these guys know each other, especially at the top of the tree. And there were big conversations of: ‘Wow, I can’t believe you did this’,” he said.

“Well, I did this and it’s big and it’s magnificent.

“So, definitely Ronaldo takes some credit for having unlocked a lot of interest in some of his colleagues, yes.”

Emenalo also gave his thoughts on the insinuations that the European-based football stars transferred to the Saudi league because of the money.

“Just like the bankers, journalists, lawyers and medical experts, footballers from other smaller countries that emigrated to the Premier League, or the ones who went to Serie A in the 1990s, the sensation of progress always starts with some sort of economic advantage,” he said.

“Also, we can reasonably deduce that whenever there is a high level of economic remuneration, it means the ambition is high and there will be work in other areas, the quality of the league will be great, infrastructures will be good and their families will be looked after.

“All those things go hand in hand. It’s not ‘let me go and take money and play in a mud pit and fight in the mud.’ That’s not what it is. There is an economic incentive, the thing that inspires most of the players is to do something really special and something unique.”

Emenalo also said the door to Mohamed Salah joining the Saudi Pro League is not closed.

Last week, Liverpool rejected a £150 million offer from Al-Ittihad for the 31-year-old forward, adding that he was not for sale.

Speaking on the deal, Emenalo said: “First and foremost, Mohamed Salah is one of the best players on the planet.

“I’ve said before, privately and publicly that we welcome anybody that wants to come [to the SPL] and that includes Salah.

“But we have to do things in a very professional and respectful manner. That’s what we’re there for, it’s what the SPL has been refined to do – bring professionalism, respect of efficiencies, and to do things in a competent way.

“If it didn’t happen, it’s not because we no longer fancy the player, or because we have a problem with Liverpool.

“It’s because certain things that need to align for all the parties involved in the process didn’t align.

“Nobody is angry, we move on, but we absolutely close no doors and if the opportunity is there to do things and do it well – and it brings Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League we will all be very grateful.”

The former Chelsea football director said he is in the country to develop clubs and sustain them.

“I am part of a mechanism to do a number of things. One of which is to better professionalise the processes that help the football organisations do better,” he said.

“It is also part of a process to help grow eventual sustainability. It is a process that will lead to better academies, and youth players and also a process of creating efficiencies in the acquisition of international players.

“A significant part of that mechanism is mapping out the squads, making valuations of the players we have and coming in and contributing heavily in developing the clubs in other areas technically.”

The 58-year-old also dismissed rumours that the SPL is keen to join the Champions League.

“…they shouldn’t be concerned! There is no need to be worried! We are just a part of what we consider to be one of the best sporting organisations in the world, which is FIFA, UEFA and the other federations,” he said.

“What we are trying to do is contribute to the development of football globally. We are not here to prove anything except offer quality entertainment to the youth and population of Saudi Arabia.”

Emenalo became SPL director of football in July.