Cristiano Ronaldo was the first high-profile player to make the switch to the Saudi Pro League. The player joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr after his underwhelming second stint at Manchester United.
The player was criticized when he joined the Saudi Arabian side. However, many other high-profile soccer players have followed the former Real Madrid player’s footsteps. Players like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, and Roberto Firmino joined the Saudi Pro League this summer.
Ronaldo shared his thoughts on being the one to open the doors to Saudi Arabia. The player shared, “They criticized me for coming to Saudi League, but what happened now? I opened the way to the Saudi league, and now all the players are coming here.”
Cristiano Ronaldo: “They criticized me for coming to Saudi League, but what happened now?”. ✨🇸🇦
“I opened the way… and now all the players are coming here”. pic.twitter.com/4AkVayzxes
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2023
He further added, “In one year, more and more top players will come to Saudi. In a year the Saudi league will overtake the Turkish league and Dutch league.”
Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr will be looking for new players to sign this summer after their disastrous defeat in the friendly match against Celta Vigo. However, the current FIFA ban on the club prevents the club from registering any new players this summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo claims he will not return to European soccer
Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that he will never play in Europe again. The player received immense success during his time in Europe. Ronaldo became one of the best soccer players in the world during his time in Europe.
The player played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus at his peak. However, his second stint at the English club was disastrous for the player as he finally decided to make a switch to the Middle East.
When asked about a possible return to Europe, the player ruled out the possibility with confidence. He shared, “I’m 100 percent sure I won’t return to any European club. I’m 38 years old. And European football has lost a lot of quality. The only valid one and still doing good is the Premier League. They’re way ahead of all the other leagues.”
Return to Europe?
🎙Cristiano Ronaldo: That door is completely closed. I’m 38 and football in Europe has lost its quality. The Portuguese league is good but not top. Premier league is above all the other leagues. pic.twitter.com/kUsjokfG0u
— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) July 17, 2023
Ronaldo further added about his time at Juventus. He revealed, “When I joined Juventus, Serie A was dead and then after I signed… it was revived. Wherever Cristiano goes he generates higher interest.”
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr on a record-breaking deal. The deal thus made Ronaldo the highest-paid athlete in the world. Furthermore, even with new players coming into the SPL, Ronaldo is still the highest-paid player in the Saudi league.