Cristiano Ronaldo confirms he WILL STAY in Saudi Arabia next season despite reports linking him with a shock return to Real Madrid… as he insists the Saudi league can become one of the ‘top five leagues in the world’ “
- Cristiano Ronaldo has been prolific for Al-Nassr since joining the club in January
- However, reports had linked him with an exit and return to European football
- The Portuguese superstar has now confirmed he will stay in Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he is staying in Saudi Arabia, ending speculation he wants to leave the Middle East for a return to Europe.
The Portuguese legend left Manchester United to join Al Nassr in January but his transfer has been shrouded in uncertainty in recent weeks following reports suggesting he could return to former club Real Madrid.
But in an interview in Saudi Arabia, the superstar insists he will stay in the Middle East.
“I’m happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here,” he said.
“And in my opinion, if they keep doing the job they want to do here, for the next five years, I think the Saudi league can be one of the top five leagues in the world.”
‘I will be part of your world, your culture, I will be there, I hope to benefit people through my games, my performances, and win things, but again, thank you for having me, and I I’ll try to do my best while I’m here.
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will stay in Saudi Arabia next season, ending speculation linking him with a return to European football
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January after an acrimonious departure from Manchester United
The 38-year-old also spoke about some of the differences in training habits he has experienced since arriving in Saudi Arabia.
He said: “An example is that in Europe we train more in the morning, but here we train in the afternoon or in the evening and during Ramadan we train at 10 in the evening – that’s so so strange, but as I tell you, these situations are part of an experience, of memories.
‘I like to live these moments because we learn with these things. It’s tough, but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. My experience so far is Saudi fans really love football and love living life and that’s good and I’m so happy so far.
Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in 16 games since joining Al Nassr, helping the club take second place in the Saudi Pro League behind Al Ittihad, who are managed by Nuno Espirito Santo.
On finishing second, Ronaldo said: “Well my expectations were a bit different, to be honest I expected to win something this year but it’s not always the way we think or the way we want, sometimes we need passion, consistency and perseverance to achieve the best things.
“So I still believe next year we’re going to improve a lot, let’s say in the last five or six months the team has improved a lot, even the league, all the teams have improved.
“It takes time sometimes, but if you believe in it and believe it’s your goal, I think anything is possible. I expected to win something this year, but we didn’t, but next year I’m really positive and confident that things will change and we will be better. So let’s believe that and work on that.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 14 goals in 16 games since arriving in Saudi Arabia
