Saudi Pro League Faces Scrutiny Over Player Treatment as Darwin Nunez Must Obey Rule Exempted for Ronaldo

Darwin Nunez’s Big Move Comes with Strict Rules

Football fans are buzzing about Darwin Nunez’s massive switch from Liverpool to Al Hilal, especially as the Uruguayan striker lands a jaw-dropping £400,000 per week salary. But behind the scenes, it’s not just about the blockbuster contract or the €53 million transfer fee. The real twist? Nunez must follow a tough Saudi Pro League rule—a rule Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t need to worry about, thanks to his superstar status.

The Saudi Pro League is known for more than just splashing cash to attract global football talent. There are unique expectations and strict policies, many of them shaped by local culture and religious norms. For players coming in from Europe, that means adjusting not only to a different style of football but also to a social environment with tight regulations. Word is, these can cover everything from training schedules to rules about appearances and how players carry themselves in public.

When Nunez starts at Al Hilal, he’ll have to abide by these strict expectations, just like every other player—unless you’re Cristiano Ronaldo. Almost immediately after landing in the league, Ronaldo was handed special treatment and allowed to sidestep a policy enforced on everyone else. Details on the exact rule aren’t splashed across headlines, but sources inside the Saudi football scene point to measures tied to either religious customs or high-visibility player protocols. Some insiders even suggest the regulation governs when and how players are to appear publicly or their schedules around training during strict cultural periods.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Exception Sets a Controversial Standard

What makes this story so fascinating is what it says about star power in football today. The gulf in treatment between a football giant like Ronaldo and big new arrivals—even those on £400,000 per week, like Nunez—is clear. Ronaldo allegedly leveraged his immense global pull and marketability in his contract negotiations, landing himself an exception that no one else has managed to get. These kinds of ‘superstar perks’ are nothing new for legendary players, but the open contrast in Saudi Arabia is raising eyebrows both among fans and other professionals.

For Nunez, this double standard comes at a time of enormous change. Jumping from the Premier League’s fast pace and bright lights to the distinct demands of the Saudi league was always going to be a challenge. Now, on top of settling into a new style of play and figuring out life in Riyadh, he’s got to stick to a rule that Ronaldo skips without a second thought.

Nunez’s pay packet is almost triple what he was earning at Liverpool, reflecting not just the league’s ambition, but the expectations they put on imported stars. But while high salaries have brought many big names across, the way rules get bent—or not—for certain players risks resentment in the dressing room. It’s not just about football anymore; it’s about how leagues treat their new faces compared to their brightest stars.

This latest twist in the Nunez transfer saga brings the spotlight back onto the Saudi Pro League’s efforts to be seen as more than just a retirement home for aging talent, instead trying to become a serious force in world football. With heavy investments and headline signings, the league is trying hard to build credibility. But special privileges for icons like Ronaldo could make that job harder, especially as young stars like Nunez grapple with the full weight of expectation—plus all the rules.