Inside the Saudi Arabia Pro League plan from Ronaldo to Premier League arrivals and the World Cup

Glamour friendlies, the possibility of another winter World Cup, world-class players arriving for hefty transfer fees: The Saudi Arabia football revolution could be here to stay.

Twelve months ago, the likes of Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante playing in the Saudi Pro League would have seemed far fetched. For the 2023-24 season it's a reality and more could follow.

The country has grand ambitions with Ronaldo saying at the end of his first season that he could see the Pro League being mentioned among the top five in the world. At the moment, competing with Europe - the home of the Champions League and the best talent - is an ambition rather than a reality but with the likes of Manchester City's Treble-winning pair Bernardo Silva and Riyaz Mahrez being linked with moves, there is no shortage of offers.

The money is available and spending it isn't a problem. So what's the plan and what happens next?

ALSO READ: United are missing out on Chelsea transfer market advantage with Saudi Arabia links

"The long-term ambition comes under the government’s wider reaching Vision 2030 plan," explains Asian football expert and writer for The Asian Game, Martin Lowe, speaking to the Manchester Evening News. "This plan is spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), as a dynamic change for modern Saudi society, which will look to move away from their reliance on oil reserves, into a forward-looking Arab nation that will appeal to their younger, and growingly liberal demographic.

"Sport and leisure is one mere sector within 13 areas in the plan; but within the sport section, ambitions such as acquiring Newcastle United and reforming the domestic league were key road markers set out in advance. Earlier this month,