Ronaldo is still a name above all others when attention turns to the Saudi soccer league’s season-opening round.

Just like it was earlier this month when more than 30,000 fans turned out in Hong Kong to watch Al-Nassr defeat Al-Ittihad 2-1 in the first semifinal of the Saudi Super Cup on Aug. 19, he’s part of the league’s growth and marketing plans.

“The majority can only be described as Cristiano Ronaldo fans,” Chris KL Lau, a Hong Kong resident and fan, told The Associated Press. “The match had an electric buzz and each time Ronaldo had the ball there was excitement.”

The Portuguese star was mobbed the following day when he visited the city’s official Cristiano Ronaldo museum. “Fans have travelled from across China, Saudi Arabia and the Asia-Pacific to see him,” Lau said.

After Ronal

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