Dhaka, Aug. 29 -- As the Saudi Pro League kicked off its new season this week, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be the most prominent name associated with the competition.

Earlier this month, more than 30,000 fans packed a stadium in Hong Kong to watch Al-Nassr, Ronaldo's team, defeat Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal. Local fan Chris KL Lau said the atmosphere was electric whenever Ronaldo touched the ball, describing the crowd as largely his supporters. The Portuguese star was also mobbed the next day during a visit to the city's Cristiano Ronaldo museum.

Since Ronaldo's arrival in December 2022, other global stars such as Karim Benzema, Neymar and Riyad Mahrez have followed. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund took control ...