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Analysis
- 1 hour ago
Salah 'will absolutely dwarf' Ronaldo if Saudi deal is done
Robin Bairner
- 14 Dec 2025 03:00 CST
- 3 min read
News
Cristiano Ronaldo has been sent a warning that his status as the Saudi Pro League’s undisputed star will end should Mohamed Salah complete a move to the Middle East in January.
Salah moved to third place in the Premier League’s all-time goal contribution list on Saturday with an assist against Brighton as Arne Slot’s side claimed a 2-0 victory, but all is not well for the Egypt international.
The 33-year-old has been left out of the starting XI in each of Liverpool’s last four Premier League matches while an outburst in the media last week prompted the Anfield club to leave him out of their trip to Inter Milan on Champions League duty in midweek.
Current ETV
Mohamed Salah
F, M (R)
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah
F, M (R)
Liverpool
ETV Range
€41.6M - €50.9M
While there are doubts over what the future holds for Salah, the prospect of moving to Saudi is doubtless an attractive one.
Ronaldo, though, will be hoping that a deal comes to fruition as it would be a massive blow to his personal brand.
As the iPaper reports: “The move makes so much sense for Salah now. Beyond the obvious financial appeal, the feeling is that an Arab player would become a huge megastar in an Islamic country, adulation to even dwarf what Cristiano Ronaldo receives.”
Used to being the star of the show, Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr, is unlikely to take being relegated to a Saudi sideshow well if Salah leaves Liverpool in January.
Neville compares Salah to Ronaldo
Salah’s situation at Liverpool was compared to that of Ronaldo as he departed Manchester United in 2021 by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.
He said: “I wouldn't see it from an ordinary player's side. But when you have this level of player that's almost the best in the world, which I'd put Mo Salah up there with, you sometimes… not have to accept what he's done because Cristiano Ronaldo did it at United and I didn't take to it too kindly at all because I think those players have an expectancy to bring everybody along with them.
“I wouldn't like it if it was at my club Manchester United and I didn't a few years ago when Cristiano did it and he went and did the big interview.
“If it was a player that didn't have the level of talent, experience or success of Mo Salah I think they'd be kicked out pretty quickly.
“But when you're that exceptional and that talented and have the presence of a great player you don't accept being put on the bench and not being put on.”
