Saudi Arabia, September 23 - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia marked its 93rd National Day on September 23, a momentous occasion celebrated with enthusiasm and unity. In a delightful twist, renowned footballers Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema joined the festivities, donning traditional Saudi attire to honor the occasion.
Saudi National Day, known as Al-Yaom-ul-Watany, holds great significance as it commemorates the unification of the Kingdom.
Neymar, alongside his fellow Al-Hilal players, added a cultural touch to the celebration by performing the traditional Saudi dance known as Ardha, dressed in the iconic "thobe" (traditional robe), "shemagh" (headscarf), and "aqal" (headband).
The Celebrations in the Saudi Pro League (SPL):
The day was a bustling affair in Saudi Arabia, especially for the players in the Saudi Pro League, who marked their inaugural National Day celebration in style.
Neymar wasn't the only SPL superstar present at the event. Strikers Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad and Cristiano Ronaldo from Al-Nassr, along with his teammate Sadio Mane, also embraced the spirit of the day by donning traditional attire.
Benzema delighted his followers by sharing a selfie in the complete traditional ensemble, amassing a whopping 2.3 million likes. Meanwhile, Ronaldo's photo, posted by Al-Nassr while wearing the "thobe," received 1.7 million likes, and Neymar's post garnered a staggering 4.2 million likes.
The Saudi Pro League's Rising Popularity:
The Saudi Pro League has witnessed a surge in prominence, attracting numerous players from Europe's top clubs who have secured lucrative contracts. The arrival of football legends like Ronaldo, Neymar, Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, and Mane has undoubtedly contributed to the league's growing popularity among football enthusiasts.
In the current 2023-24 season, Benzema's Al-Ittihad leads the SPL with 18 points, having won six of their first seven games. Ronaldo's Al-Nassr occupies the fifth position with 15 points, while Neymar's Al-Hilal closely follows in second place with 17 points.
Ronaldo's Tribute to Saudi Culture:
Following his two-goal performance for Al-Nassr in their Saudi Pro League match against Al-Shabab, Cristiano Ronaldo demonstrated his deep respect for Saudi culture. The Portuguese veteran, who has been in exceptional goal-scoring form, temporarily set aside his trademark "Siuuu" celebration and contemporary moves to engage in a traditional Saudi dance.
Ronaldo's participation in this cultural gesture exemplifies the unity and respect for local traditions that have become an integral part of his journey in Saudi Arabia.