Despite Hostile Relations in Middle-East, Cristiano Ronaldo to End 8-Year Drought Between Saudi Arabia & Iran Thanks to Groundbreaking Agreement

It’s been a long wait, but Saudi Arabian teams including Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al Nassr can now play in Iran. As per the ‘groundbreaking’ agreement between the Iranian and Saudi Arabian soccer federations, both countries can host matches in stadiums in their countries. This will allow clubs from both countries to travel and play each other on home turf.

The Saudi Pro League has invigorated Asian soccer by signing the likes of Ronaldo and Neymar. Now, it looks as though the soccer icons can play for their respective SPL clubs in Iran as well.

Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al Nassr and other Saudi clubs will now play in Iran!

The last time Saudi Arabian and Iranian teams played in each other’s countries was during the 2015 Asian Champions League. Clubs from either country were playing in neutral venues like in Doha and Dubai after 2015. This was because of diplomatic tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia at the time. The AFC’s ruling allowing the use of neutral venues since 2016, certainly helped.

Now, following easing diplomatic conditions between both countries in the Middle East, fans can watch games in both Iran and Saudi Arabia. According to a report, Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, recently visited Saudi Arabia after an eight-year hiatus. This has paved the way for both the nations’ soccer federations along with the AFC to green-light the playing of matches in either country.

The report by AP News quotes a statement made by the AFC that said, “Passionate fans across Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the whole of Asia can now look forward to a thrilling new chapter in club and national team football,”. The report also adds that the teams will “battle in the spirit of competition and camaraderie.”

A report in Al Jazeera quoted the AFC’s statement which said the decision by both countries’ soccer federations would lead to “fostering closer ties between their respective footballing communities, allowing clubs to host matches on their home turf and visiting the respective away stadiums, creating a more engaging and exciting experience for the fans and players alike.”

This is exciting news for soccer fans from both Saudi Arabia and Iran. Furthermore, Iranian fans can also watch the soccer superstars signed by the SPL in action in their home country.

READ MORE: “I Don’t Care Who Plays” – Moments After Cristiano Ronaldo’s Brace, Al Nassr Boss Discusses Selection Benchmark

The fixture list of Saudi Arabian teams vs. Iranian teams

The draw for the Asian Champions League took place on August 24th. While the tournament is set to kick off on September 18th. Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al Nassr will travel to Tehran to play at the Azadi Stadium on September 19th. They play against Persepolis in their Group E clash. While Neymar’s Al Hilal will also travel to Iran to take on Nassaji Mazandaran on October 3rd. Group D is tightly contested.

It also features the Indian team Mumbai City FC. Considering Mumbai’s vociferous support, the group is sure to deliver some exciting matches. Meanwhile, Karim Benzema‘s Al Ittihad will clash against Iranian club Sepahan in Group C on October 2nd. These are surely thrilling times for soccer fans from Iran and Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, this will come as great news to soccer fans in the Middle East.

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Moreover, from a larger perspective, this is a huge win for Asian soccer as a whole. Let us know in the comments below.