Saudi League critics ‘know nothing' says Ronaldo after extending contract with Al Nassr
Footballing great, Cristiano Ronaldo, has opened up on his decision to continue for two more years in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, calling the league in Saudi one of the best in the world already.
The Portuguese giant revealed that he had offers to play at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup 2025 happening in the United States, but he preferred taking a break and preparing for the next season, which will have the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
'I had some offers to play the World Cup (FIFA Club World Cup), but I think it didn't make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long, as this is the season of the World Cup. So I want to be ready not only for Al-Nasrr but also for the national team,' said Ronaldo on Al Nassr FC's YouTube channel.
'So this is why I decided to play the last game in the Nation's League and to not listen to nothing and of course to be in this club which I love,' he added.
About the two-year extension, he said, 'Since day one I have a compromise that to make change not only in Al-Nassr but in the country too. So this is my goal. Of course, my goal is always to win something important for Al-Nassr and I still believe in that. This is why I renewed two years more because I believe that I will be champion in Saudi Arabia.'
Ronaldo joined the club in 2022 after leaving Manchester United and has scored 93 goals in 105 appearances for the Saudi club in all competitions.
Ronaldo said the Saudi League will continue to improve and is already one of the most competitive leagues around the world. He said only those who have never played in Saudi Arabia call it an easy league.
'Of course we're still improving but I believe that in this moment we are in top five already. But I still believe that we continue to improve and we have time and we showed the last two years enough that the league is going up all the time. I'm happy because I know the league is very competitive. Only the people who have never played in Saudi they don't understand anything about football and say this league is not in the top five. I believe 100% in my words, and the people who play in this league… they know what I'm talking about. This is why I want to stay, because I believe in the project. Not the next two years but until 2034 with the goal of the World Cup in Saudi Arabia, which I believe will be the most beautiful one ever,' he said.
Ronaldo also made his intentions quite clear about coaching roles in the future. 'To be a coach, I can tell right now, I'm never going to be a coach. Never, never. This is a strong word, but it's not in my plans in five years, 10, 20,' said Ronaldo.
'But as you know, the life is always a box of surprises. But projects and be part of the growth of the country, to be on the side of the country, for sure. I will be next to the country because I'm not coming only to play football. I play for change of country, cultural country. So I'm a part of that process. So as I say so many, many times, I belong to Saudi Arabia,' he added.
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