SUMMARY
- Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a year in Saudi Pro League and to mark the occasion he sat down to give an exclusive interview to the Saudi Pro League.
- In his first year in SPL, Ronaldo highlighted the incredible presentation ceremony by Al-Nassr at Mrsool Park stadium which was a year ago.
Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a year in Saudi Pro League and to mark the occasion he sat down to give an exclusive interview to the Saudi Pro League. In the preview of the interview, Ronaldo looked back at the beginning of his SPL career and the incredible presentation by Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese superstar started by stating: “I remember the first day I was here. I was a little bit nervous, as you expect. The stadium was full. I was with my family, new environment. Now it’s completely different, I am more relaxed, more adapt, it is good, good memories.”
The Portuguese forward was asked if any moment stood out in his first year in SPL in Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium. Ronaldo responded quickly and pointed out the incredible presentation ceremony by Al-Nassr, a year back, for his welcome.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY:
Cristiano Ronaldo was officially presented as an Al Nassr player.
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) January 3, 2024
Ronaldo described the presentation by stating: “I remember their presentation was amazing. I expected what happened because for them, it was a special day too, not only for me and my family of course. But the day was completely different, I was very surprised. In many ways, it was fantastic. For me, it is one of my best moments in football. When you do a presentation like that, It is always good memories.”
Al-Nassr went over and beyond back in January 2023 to present their biggest signing in club history. The 25,000-capacity stadium was jam-packed full to welcome one of the biggest icons of the game. At the presentation, Ronaldo boldly stated that the move to Al-Nassr was not the end of his career. He was not worried about what people would say about the move.
Cristiano Ronaldo numbers with Al-Nassr in his first year
The Portuguese forward was coming off one of the most challenging years in his career, where he was benched by Manchester United and Portugal in key matches. Many questioned the capabilities of Ronaldo as the leading striker of any team. However, the Portuguese forward silenced his critics with a solid 2023 with the Saudi side.
Ronaldo made 44 appearances for the Saudi side in all competitions. In these appearances, he scored 38 goals and 13 assists and played around 4,000 minutes of action. The 2023/24 season is where Ronaldo spread his wings in Saudi Arabia.
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo scores again… it’s 54 goals in 2023 for Al Nassr and Portugal.
…he’s the best goalscorer of the calendar year. pic.twitter.com/IKJ6NF1OCm
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 30, 2023
He currently has 20 goals and nine assists in 18 appearances for Al-Nassr in the 2023/24 season. He leads the scoring and assists charts in the league, showing his dominance even at the age of 38 years old. This season also marks Ronaldo’s first appearance in AFC Champions League.
The Portuguese forward has made four appearances in the Asian tournament and has scored three goals and one assist. His efforts have helped Al-Nassr finish top of their group in the tournament. They will face Al-Feiha in the Round of 16 of the tournament.
Al Nassr is a club known worldwide 🌍
The Cristiano Ronaldo effect 🐐pic.twitter.com/tSEAPjdGBi
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) January 2, 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo has helped Al-Nassr to challenge for the league title. His leadership and goal contribution have pushed the Riyadh-based side into second place in the league, even after a poor start to the season. They currently trail Al-Hilal by seven points, who are undefeated in the league.
Saudi Pro League is currently enjoying its winter break as the teams are set to return to league action in mid-February. Al-Nassr will need Ronaldo in similar form in the second half of the season to mount a league title challenge against Al-Hilal.