Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Al-Nasr will inspire a generation of Saudi children to take up the sport, which will hopefully pave the way for future success on the international stage for the Green Falcons.
After exploits in Qatar at the end of 2022 and that famous win over eventual champions Argentina, the sky is the limit and everyone in Saudi Arabia is now dreaming of a bigger and brighter future.
And by everyone, I mean everyone, including Saudi Arabia’s female footballers. Actually, especially Saudi Arabian female footballers.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation, under the leadership of the President, and newly elected FIFA Congress member, Yasir Al-Mishaal, is increasingly raising his ambitions for the women’s game.
A national women’s team has been established, playing a number of international friendlies and tournaments, in the last 12 months to achieve official FIFA recognition and ranking. It recently saw the team host and win its first international tournament on home soil.
In his opening press conference, Ronaldo highlighted his desire to be an inspiration not only to young boys but also to female footballers in the country.
Ronaldo said, “I am grateful that Al-Nassar gave me the opportunity to show and develop not only football, but also to show and develop a generation, the young generation, the women’s generation.”
“So for me, this is a good opportunity to pass on (and) help my knowledge and my experience, to help develop a number of important points. Also, a lot of people might not know, but al Nasr also has a women’s football (team), and I want to give a different perspective of the country, of football, (and) everybody.
Our female stars get the biggest support
meet ronaldo #al nasrwomen’s soccer team
and gives messages for the remaining two matchespic.twitter.com/6KT4YMY4D2– AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) February 2, 2023
Hearing those words meant the world to Sarah Khaled, the young goalkeeper of Al-Nassr’s women’s team, who are one point ahead in the league with just two games remaining.
“[It]certainly means a lot to hear from, let’s say, a football legend like Cristiano Ronaldo,” she told Arab News from Riyadh.
“His words were really inspirational to us, and we say it motivates us to go ahead and achieve the league (this season).”
Khalid’s national team colleague Talha Al-Ghamdi was also inspired, who plays his club football for Al-Ittihad.
“Of course, Cristiano is a legend, so he always inspires me with his motivation, his determination and his hard work,” she told Arab News.
“So when I found that he talks about women’s football and that he wants to support women’s football, I was very happy, very inspired and it’s great to be inspired by a legend like him.”
Women’s football in the Kingdom has undergone rapid transformation in recent years with grassroots development as well as significant investment in the national team and league structures.
The start of this season of the first national league, with powerhouse clubs such as Al-Nasr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal, is a welcome step forward for the sport.
For Al-Ghamdi, playing for Al-Ittihad, a club that he and his family have supported his whole life, is a dream come true.
“I was very happy when I found out that I would be playing for Al-Ittihad,” she said.
“It is such an honor to play for Ittihad. I can’t describe my feelings when I found out and of course my family, my dad, are very happy. grew up with, like in every detail in my life.
“To be honest, I used to live two minutes away from Ittihad Club, so every Ittihad trophy we used to go to Ittihad Club to celebrate and celebrate on the streets. , , That’s why I have a lot of memories.
For Khalid, whose family are all Atifak fans, being one of the modern pioneers of the women’s game in Saudi Arabia is a special feeling.
“It is very exciting to see the development of women’s football in Saudi Arabia,” Khaled said.
“And for me, personally, I feel very honored and proud to be a part of it. I hope to inspire and motivate the younger generation to continue playing in this field so that the journey can continue and we can achieve more and more.
That trip, Khaled and Al-Ghamdi hope, will one day include playing in the Women’s World Cup. Both were lucky enough to be inside the Lusail Stadium, along with the rest of their national team, when the Green Falcons recorded their historic victory over Argentina to open the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
While they are just starting their international journey, and are a long way from qualifying for the Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand this year, that hasn’t stopped them from dreaming about their own miracle .
“It was a very special day to witness,” Khalid recalled. “A historic win for Saudi Arabia against Argentina, and it definitely motivates us to chase our dream, which is playing in the Women’s World Cup. , , And hope to win it one day.
While the World Cup may be a distant dream, the Asian Cup could be on the horizon with Saudi Arabia officially set to host the next edition of the tournament in 2026, which would come with automatic qualification.
While some may question whether it is too early for a national team in its infancy, it follows Saudi Arabia’s natural ambition to turbo-charge its football development at every level.
“The future is bright for women’s football in Saudi Arabia and we are committed to growing the sport here and across Asia,” Al-Mishahal said.
“More and more young girls are playing football in this country and we want to inspire them more.
“Hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will be a wonderful opportunity for our players and will be made memorable by the passion of our fans.”
Monika Staub, the legendary German coach tasked with developing the national team, agreed.
“This is an opportunity to bring the tournament to life, inspire a generation and turbo-charge the continued growth of women’s football,” she said.
“We see this as an opportunity to improve technical performance and show our homegrown talent to the world.”