Ronaldo Soaks Up Padel Fever in Riyadh as Portuguese Duo Steal the Show

TDT | Manama

Email : hussianm@newsofbahrain.com

Football Royalty Meets Padel’s Rising Stars in Season Opener

Cristiano Ronaldo, a man who knows all about high-stakes competition, was front and center at the Riyadh Season Premier Padel P1, soaking in the action as the sport’s elite went head-to-head. The Al Nassr superstar wasn’t just there for the spectacle—he had a vested interest in the action, cheering on his fellow countrymen Miguel and Nuno Deus as they powered through the final round of qualifying to book their spot in the main draw.

For a sport rapidly expanding its global footprint, having Ronaldo in attendance is yet another sign that padel is no longer just a niche pursuit—it’s a movement.

Padel’s Star Power Continues to Grow

Ronaldo isn’t the first sporting icon to be drawn into the world of Premier Padel, and he certainly won’t be the last. The sport’s high-energy, fast-paced nature has already lured the likes of Neymar Jr., Zlatan Ibrahimović, Esteban Cambiasso, Leandro Paredes, and Paulo Dybala to courtside seats. And it’s not just footballers—combat sports legends Khabib Nurmagomedov and Ilia Topuria have also been spotted at recent tournaments, while last year’s Qatar Grand Prix saw a stacked lineup of sporting royalty, including Novak Djokovic, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, George Russell, and Tony Parker, get in on the padel fever.

A New Season, A New Frontier

The Riyadh event marks the official start of the 2025 Premier Padel season, following a blockbuster 2024 that saw 24 tournaments played across 16 countries. As part of the tour’s aggressive global expansion, Saudi Arabia is now firmly on the map as a key battleground for the world’s best players, all vying for crucial ranking points and an early-season statement win.

With the sport’s momentum building and its profile soaring, Premier Padel is proving that it’s more than just a game—it’s the next big thing in global sports. And with legends like Ronaldo giving it their seal of approval, padel’s rise to the top feels inevitable.