Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi left the top European leagues behind to spend the latter part of their careers in footballing backwaters.

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) and Major League Soccer (MLS) have been the beneficiaries of the superstar status each player brings to the table.

With that in mind, read on as we analyse the impact their respective moves have had on their legacies, starting with Ronaldo.

Ronaldo Pioneers Saudi Boom

Ronaldo shocked the world when he left Premier League giants Manchester United in 2023 and opted to move to Saudi Arabia.

His transfer opened the route for other European superstars such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Neymar to follow in his footsteps.

The Portuguese icon has put Saudi football on the map. Major sponsors have jumped on the bandwagon, while social media engagement has gone through the roof.

Fans across the world have started to follow the SPL, which has had a knock-on effect in the betting industry. Intriguingly, Ronaldo has triggered a wagering boom in the Middle East.

Reputable international betting sites for Arabic players now offer a wide range of markets on SPL games including match result, first goalscorer and many more.

Ronaldo’s tally of 93 goals in 105 appearances for Al-Nassr has made him a popular pick with Arab bettors, and boosted his reputation at a time when it was waning.

His acrimonious exit from Man Utd left a sour taste. Without a significant trophy farewell moment, critics framed the decision as a surrender of competitive relevance rather than a bold new challenge.

However, Ronaldo has helped the SPL shake off its traditional regional reputation to become a global talking point for millions of fans worldwide.

Ronaldo had nothing left to prove at Man Utd. He left as one of the most influential attackers in the club’s history across two spells. His legacy as one of the greatest of all time remains intact.

He remains influential at international level and is expected to play a key role for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup in North America next summer.

The tournament will be the last time Ronaldo and Messi feature together on the biggest stage, which will be an intriguing proposition for lovers of the beautiful game.

Messi Becomes an MLS Ambassador

Messi decided to leave Paris Saint-Germain following Argentina’s success in the 2022 World Cup. 

Former club Barcelona tried to re-sign Messi, but he chose to move to MLS. He has turned Inter Miami from a fledgling side to a competitive one.

His arrival has also been massive for the visibility of MLS. Attendance records have been smashed and subscriptions to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass have increased.

Messi has embraced his new role as an MLS ambassador. Even though some people will argue about the competitiveness of the league, the move was the right one for Messi to make.

Some fans felt he could have put some distance between himself and Ronaldo in the eternal ‘greatest of all time’ debate by staying in Europe.

However, the World Cup win at Qatar 2022 ended those discussions, regardless of what Ronaldo’s global army of fans think. Messi now has nothing left to prove to anyone. 

He remains a terrifying attacker to face today, but he also serves as an ambassador for an exciting league that needed a marquee name to gain momentum.

Messi’s move is an expansion of his legacy and does not taint it. He left on his terms to boost football’s profile in North America ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

He said farewell to Europe in a blaze of glory to open doors in America. Fans will never forget him for his genius, the artistry and the memories he left behind.