Mo Salah tipped to switch Cristiano Ronaldo as Saudi Pro League’s ‘greatest and greatest star’
Manchester United legend Lee Sharpe believes Mohamed Salah would be bigger than former Red Devil Cristiano Ronaldo if he were to transfer to Saudi Arabia.
The future of the Egyptian forward at Liverpool has come under a lot of doubt lately. Salah scored a brace against Southampton on Sunday to take Arne Slot’s side eight points clear at the top of the table.
However, Liverpool’s No.11 said he was “probably more out than in” after the game regarding his contract talks. Salah also said he was “disappointed” that the club had failed to offer him a new contract – further rumours the Egyptian ace could take his skills to the Saudi Pro League and help bolster the pitiful attendance figures that have plagued the division despite colossal financial investment.
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Al Ittihad, Karim Benzema’s club, supposedly offered Liverpool more than £150million for Salah last year. Some Reds fans thought it was a good time for Salah to leave, after a slump in his form under Jurgen Klopp, with the star also turning 32 and the risk of injuries increasing.
But the winger has continued to prove his extraordinary ability this season, firing Liverpool to the top of the table with 10 goals in 12 games. And former United winger Lee Sharpe believes if Salah went to Saudi, he would be their star player – even towering over Ronaldo – as the Gulf state looks to chance perception of its failing league.
(Image: Getty Images)
He told Racing Tipster: “I can only imagine Mohamed Salah would go to Saudi Arabia, as I don’t think anyone else will be able to afford him. There’s also nowhere else he could go in Europe that’s a bigger club, with a bigger fanbase, crowd and atmosphere than he has at Liverpool – he’s not going to go to Manchester United, that’s for sure!
“He’ll likely just want to secure his future and have an easier life in Saudi. If he did go there, he’d be the biggest player in the Saudi Pro League – he’s still young and fit enough to dominate.
“We see Cristiano Ronaldo doing well over there, but I think Salah is a better player and a bigger name than him these days.”
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Ronaldo has continued to be a goal-scoring machine in Saudi. Last season for Al Nassr FC, he scored 50 goals in 51 games. There had been reports that the Portuguese winger was contracted to be an ambassador for Saudi’s World Cup bid. Al Nassir denied these rumours.
Not only would Salah be joining the Saudi league as one of the greatest wingers in the game, but the Muslim star is an icon in the Arab world, nicknamed the ‘Pride of the Arabs’. Islam is the official state region of the Middle Eastern country and is governed by Sharia law – furthering the connection fans would likely have with the player.
