Ronaldo's Kick for Human Rights: Beyond Sportswashing in Saudi Arabia

By: Edoardo Giribaldi

What is the demarcation line for a soccer star between excelling on the soccer field and drawing attention to human rights issues?

This has been the hope that Amnesty International held since Cristiano Ronaldo’s signing for Saudi Arabian football club Al-Nassr.

On its website, the humanitarian organization framed the transfer, which, according to Forbes, made the Portuguese player the highest-paid athlete of all time with a salary of $ 200 million per year, as fitting into a broader vision of sportswashing in Saudi Arabia.

The term refers to the promotion of an athletic event or character by a governmental institution to burnish its reputation in the eyes of the international community.

During his first press conference as a new player for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo emphasized his desire to develop not just the Saudi soccer’s prestige but also “other aspects of this amazing country.”

The transfer represents an essential component of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman's economic plan, "Vision 2030.”

The government designated $7 trillion to this operation, which aims at diversifying the country's economy, and reducing its reliance on oil production and exports.

Sports play a pivotal part in the project.

Saudi Arabia attracted international stars to the Diriyah Tennis Cup, acquired the English soccer team Newcastle United, and will host the 2034 World Cup.

While Ronaldo continues to excel on the soccer field, several human rights advocates remain skeptical about “Vision 2030.”

“Ronaldo should not allow his fame and celebrity status to become a tool of Saudi's sportswashing.” Dana Ahmed, Amnesty International's Middle East researcher, said on the organization's website.

In response to the term sportswashing, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud, expressed his disagreement with the label in an interview with 60 Minutes correspondent Jon Wertheim.

“Everyone should come, see Saudi Arabia for what it is, and then make your decision,” he said.

What people can already read about the country are violations of human rights, such as the 2018 assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist who expressed criticism toward the Saudi government’s policies. The operation, according to a CIA report, was approved by the Crown Prince.

In this controversial framework, Ronaldo’s goals extend beyond the soccer field. As he strives for victory, humanitarian organizations maintain hope that he will also champion the more significant cause of human rights.