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Cristiano Ronaldo Shares Saudi Pro League Experience
Cristiano Ronaldo has shared his experience in Saudi Pro League, admits that it’s not close to the Premier League, but has the potential to be one of the best in five years.
After Portugal’s unsuccessful 2022 World Cup campaign, the Portuguese talisman mutually terminated his contract with Manchester United in November and signed with Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League a month later.
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Ronaldo has adjusted to life in the Middle East after having trouble in his first couple of games. In his last eight league games, he has scored nine goals, including a beautiful freekick from 30 yards that helped his team defeat Abha 2-1.
The 38-year-old has since asserted the lofty assertion that the Saudi Pro League would one day be regarded as a top league and has challenged detractors to view it “differently.”
“I feel really good. That’s why I’m here. If I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t be. I’m in a very competitive league. They should look at the Saudi championship differently,” Ronaldo told reporters.
“Obviously, it’s not like the Premier League, I’d be lying if I said it was, but it’s competitive. I’m surprised by the strength. It has good teams, it is balanced, the Arab players are good, the foreigners give quality. Possibly it will be, in five to six years’ time, if they continue this plan, the fourth or fifth most competitive league in the world.”
Ronaldo has been called up to the most recent Portugal squad by new manager Roberto Martinez, despite the fact that he no longer competes in one of Europe’s top leagues. He will be one of the team’s leaders in their forthcoming 2024 European Championship qualifiers.
The forward will be in action on Thursday against Liechtenstein as the 2024 European Championship qualifiers get underway, before taking on Luxembourg three days later.