Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that the Saudi Pro League can eventually become a top-five soccer league in the world. The Portugal superstar joined Al-Nassr in January after departing Manchester United by mutual consent. He is reportedly earning around $75 million per season to play in the Middle East.
“Step by step, I think this league will be in the top five leagues in the world,” proclaimed Ronaldo. “But they need time, they need players and infrastructure. I believe that this country has amazing potential, amazing people and the league will be great.”
Nevertheless, there are not currently any Saudi Pro League clubs in Deloitte’s Football Money chart. The financial company compiled its list of the richest teams in the world, which is based on revenue. This includes television rights, endorsements, transfers, and matchday ticket sales.
The Premier League predictably dominated the money charts. In fact, more than half of the 20-team chart consisted of English teams. Every ‘Big Six” Premier League side featured in the top 10 of Deloitte’s list.
Perhaps most interesting though is the fact that three teams trying to avoid relegation made the top 20. Leicester City, Leeds, and Everton mirrored their Premier League table positions as they all sit in 17th, 18th, and 19th place on the list.
Italian, Portuguese champs fail to make list
Along with the Premier League’s dominance, there were also some compelling omissions. Italian duo Napoli and Roma failed to make the money chart. Both clubs were previously listed in Forbes’ money list in recent years. Napoli collected their first Serie A title this season for the first time since 1990. Other notable exclusions also include Portuguese clubs Benfica and Porto, as well as Dutch side Ajax.
20 richest soccer clubs based on revenue
Manchester City (Premier League) – $764 million
Real Madrid (LaLiga)- $746 million
Liverpool (Premier League) – $733 million
Manchester United (Premier League) – $719 million
Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1) – $683 million
Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) – $682 million
Barcelona (LaLiga) – $666 million
Chelsea (Premier League) – $593 million
Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League) – $545 million
Arsenal (Premier League) – $453 million
Juventus (Serie A) – $418 million
Atletico Madrid (LaLiga) – $411 million
Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga) – $372 million
Inter Milan (Serie A) – $322 million
West Ham (Premier League) – $314 million
AC Milan (Serie A) – $276 million
Leicester City (Premier League) – $262 million
Leeds United (Premier League) – $233 million
Everton (Premier League) – $223 million
Newcastle United (Premier League) – $220 million
