Ronaldo savors Saudi Arabia, encourages top players to join party
Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal against Al-Shabab at the KSU Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 23, 2023. (Reuters Photo)


Cristiano Ronaldo, while acknowledging his unexpected season without silverware at Al-Nassr, expressed contentment with his current situation in Saudi Arabia, aspiring for the arrival of other prominent players to the league in the upcoming campaign.

Ronaldo signed a 2.5-year contract estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($220.16 million) with Al-Nassr, making his debut in January.

He scored 14 goals in 16 games, but it was not enough to help his side win the Saudi Pro League (SPL) title, with Al-Nassr finishing second behind Al-Ittihad.

The 38-year-old, who missed the final matchday due to an injury, said the league was very competitive but that there were many opportunities to grow.

"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.

"But I'm happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here."

Ronaldo said he had adapted to life at the club, though there were many differences from his time in Europe where he played for elite teams such as Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid.

"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 at night. It was so strange," he added.

Since Ronaldo's arrival, several other top players have been linked with a move to the Saudi league, with Lionel Messi receiving a formal offer to join Al-Hilal next season.

Ronaldo's former teammate and Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema has reportedly received an offer worth more than 100 million euros from Al-Ittihad.

"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."