2023-06-02 11:49:00
(CNN) — Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledges that he did not expect to end the season empty-handed at Al Nassr, but the Portuguese striker says he is happy in Saudi Arabia and hopes other great players will follow him in the league next season.
Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al Nassr estimated by the media at more than 200 million euros ($220.16 million), and made his debut in January.
He scored 14 goals in 16 matches, but it wasn’t enough to help his team win the Saudi Pro League (SPL) title, with Al Nassr finishing second behind Al Ittihad.
The 38-year-old, who missed the final matchday through injury, said the league was very competitive but there were plenty of opportunities to grow.
“We have very good teams, very good Arab players, but the infrastructures have to improve a bit more. Even the referees, the VAR system, should be a bit faster,” he said in an interview with the SPL.
“But I’m happy here, I want to stay here, I’ll stay here.”
Ronaldo said he had adjusted to life at the club, although there were many differences from his time in Europe, where he played for elite teams such as Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid.
The Portuguese striker has had to adapt to life in a new country.
“In Europe we train more in the morning and here we train in the afternoon, or at night. When Ramadan starts, we train at 10 pm. It’s very strange,” he added.
Since Ronaldo’s arrival, other top players have been linked to the Saudi league, with Lionel Messi receiving a formal offer to join Al-Hilal next season.
Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s former teammate and Ballon d’Or player, would have received an offer of more than 100 million euros from Al Ittihad.
“If they come, big players and big names, young players, ‘old players’, they are very welcome,” Ronaldo said.
“If that happens, the league will improve a little bit. Age is not important.”
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