Kroos backs up CR7 and slams Saudis: "Without Ronaldo, nobody would watch the Saudi league"

Cristiano Ronaldo's "pouting phase" in Saudi Arabia seems to be over, as he decided to end his seven-day strike, caused by the PIF Fund's alleged favouritism toward Al-Nassr's rivals, Al Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli.

All club employees have received their salaries (which was one of the contentious issues), Ronaldo's friends and the Global One's CEO and sporting director, Jose Semedo and Simao Coutinho, got their powers back, while, according to Al-Riyadiyah, the club's president, Abdullah Al Majid, is expected to be sacked.

Hence, all the conditions for Cristiano's return were met.

Ronaldo ends the strike but on his terms

Nevertheless, Al-Nassr is still in for a tough title against never-stronger Al Hilal - Karim Benzema and Co. have a one-point lead - while CR7's reputation in Saudi Arabia is at its lowest point since his arrival three years ago.

However, amid a sea of those condemning Ronaldo and his behaviour, there was someone who took his side - his ex-Real Madrid teammate, Toni Kroos.

"The Saudi league is a strange phenomenon. Nobody had heard of it before Cristiano Ronaldo arrived, and now they disrespect the man who put them on the world map."

"If Cristiano leaves tomorrow, this league will lose all its charm. Without Ronaldo, nobody would watch the Saudi league," the German said on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen via O Jogo.

Many would definitely disagree with Kroos at this point, as the fame and status Cristiano brought to the Saudi Pro League cannot be an excuse for his actions and the recent boycott.

But, hey, that's probably what former teammates are for.