Despite Facing Champions League Ban, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr & Neymar’s Al Hilal to Fight Out for New Trophy in Saudi Arabia

Saudi League’s growth and top signings like Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar are now threatened by a Champions League ban. This issue arises from Saudi Arabia’s multi-club ownership situation. For Ronaldo, who hopes to secure another Champions League title, his first in Asia, this ban jeopardizes his aspirations. In the wake of this looming ban, Al Nassr and Al Hilal are preparing to vie for a new trophy within Saudi Arabia.

Now, with big soccer names on their team sheet, the clash between these two sides has become much anticipated. After signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr has added star players to their roster, including Sadio Mané, Alex Telles, Marcelo Brozovic, and Aymeric Laporte. Al Hilal has also bolstered their ranks with Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Ruben Neves.

Riyadh rivals: Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar to clash for a new trophy

In the recent Arab Club Champions Cup final, CR7 showcased brilliance, leading Al Nassr to a 2-1 victory over Al Hilal. Ronaldo’s performance turned the tide in Al Nassr’s favor as they clinched the Championship for the first time in history. After a few weeks, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and Neymar’s Al Hilal are set for another trophy battle. This season, Al Nassr and Al Hilal clubs will participate in the Riyadh Season Cup, and a third international club will be announced soon.

Both Riyadh-based clubs have a rich reputation in the league. Al Hilal, widely acknowledged as the most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, proudly possesses an astounding collection of 66 trophies. Among their illustrious achievements are 18 league titles and 4 Asian Champions League titles. Furthermore, Al Nassr also boasts an impressive 9 league titles. However, it’s important to note that both of these PIF-backed Saudi clubs potentially face the prospect of an AFC Champions League ban.

Also Read: Despite Cristiano Ronaldo Aiding Clubs Generate Around $400,000,000 Profit, Al Nassr Delays Superstar’s Jersey Sales ‘Without Justification’

Potential Champions League ban for Al Nassr and Al Hilal

The Asian Football Confederation is facing accusations of neglecting its own multi-club ownership rules. This is due to the inclusion of three Saudi-backed clubs in the tournament, which receive support from the Saudi Public Investment Fund. As a result, member clubs are demanding an explanation from the AFC for this alleged breach of its regulations.

According to tournament rules, multiple Asian clubs are ineligible to participate in the tournament if the ownership stake by a single entity exceeds 30%. However, the substantial 75% stake held by the Saudi PIF in each of these clubs has given rise to inquiries concerning the prospective participation of more than one Saudi-owned club in the Champions League.

As the controversy surrounding multi-club ownership and AFC regulations continues to brew, one can’t help but wonder how this will impact the future of soccer in the region. What are your takeaways? Let us know in the comments.

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