Despite a disappointing end to the season, Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he will be staying in Saudi Arabia.
The 38-year-old forward became the highest-paid player in football history after joining Al Nassr in January in a record-breaking £200 million deal.
Ronaldo managed to score 14 goals in 16 games for Al Nassr but fell short of winning the Saudi Pro League (SPL) title, with his team finishing second behind Al Ittihad.
Reflecting on his time in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo expressed his contentment with the club and his intention to continue playing there.
While acknowledging the presence of strong teams and talented Arab players in the league, Ronaldo suggested that improvements are needed in infrastructure and refereeing, including the speed of the VAR system.
“We have very good teams, very good Arab players, but the infrastructure – they need to improve a little bit more. Even the referees, the VAR system, should be a little quicker,” he said in an SPL interview.
Despite these areas for development, he reiterated his happiness and desire to remain in Saudi Arabia. “But I’m happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here.”
Ronaldo also highlighted the differences he has experienced in the Saudi league compared to his time playing for top European teams like Manchester United, Juventus, and Real Madrid.
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He mentioned the unusual training schedules, such as late-night sessions during Ramadan, which he found strange but has adapted to.
“In Europe we train more in the morning and here we train in the afternoon, or night. When you start Ramadan, we train at 10 o’clock in the night. It was so strange,” he added.
Since Ronaldo’s arrival, there have been reports of other top players being linked to the Saudi league, including Lionel Messi, who reportedly received a formal offer from Al-Hilal for next season.
Additionally, Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate and Ballon d’Or winner, Karim Benzema, has allegedly received a £200 million offer from Al Ittihad.
Ronaldo welcomed the potential arrival of big-name players, emphasizing that age is not a determining factor. He expressed his belief that the league would improve with the addition of talented and experienced players, as well as promising young talents.
“If they are coming, big players and big names, young players, ‘old players’, they are very welcome,” said Ronaldo. “If that happens, the league will improve a little bit. Age is not important.”
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