Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in Saudi Arabia joining Al Nassr from Manchester United earlier this year in January changed the landscape of the Saudi Pro League. His move motivated other top European players to follow the same path to the Middle East.
The Portuguese star recently returned to his club after securing Portugal’s qualification for Euro 2024. He achieved a remarkable feat as the top scorer of the calendar year. To celebrate this achievement, his Al-Nassr teammates surprised Cristiano Ronaldo with a special tribute. Now he has launched a new E-sports venture, where even the Crown Prince of Saudi was present.
Cristiano Ronaldo feels ‘honored’ meeting Saudi Crown Prince MBS
Cristiano Ronaldo and Prince Mohammed bin Salman were present as invited guests and panelists at the event in the capital, Riyadh, where Saudi Arabia launched a new initiative, the annual Esports World Cup. This event is significant as it marks the first-ever Esports World Cup, scheduled for next year in 2024.
The Al Nassr star shared pictures of his meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman at the event marking the launch of Saudi Arabia’s new venture in the sports calendar.
He wrote, “An honor to meet again with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman and great to be part of this panel today discussing the future of esports and the launch of the first-ever #esportsworldcup that will be held in Saudi Arabia next year!” on social media.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has submitted bids to host both the 2030 FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035. The Gulf nation has significantly invested in various sports beyond football, acquiring stakes in football teams. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has successfully hosted a range of sporting events, including boxing, WWE, tennis, golf, and Formula 1.
Cristiano Ronaldo announces plans to host E-Sports World Cup in 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo announced the upcoming Esports World Cup, an annual event set to feature the world’s most popular games and invite elite gaming professionals to compete for an unprecedented winning prize in the history of esports competitions. It is touted to be the largest event of its kind in the world.
The Crown Prince and Ronaldo collaboratively announced the launch of the Esports World Cup Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting collaboration among esports stakeholders. The tournament is intended to serve as a prominent platform for the gaming and esports industry, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s standing as a global hub for esports.
