Cristiano Ronaldo said that the Saudi Pro league is already one of the five best leagues in the world after the Portuguese international has renewed his contract with Al Nasr.
The Saudi Pro League Club announced on Thursday that Ronaldo signed a two-year contract that would keep it beyond his 42nd birthday in the club.
“Naturally [the Saudi Pro League] still improves, but I believe that at that moment we are in the top 5 [leagues in the world] already. I still think we will continue to improve and we have time and we have shown in the past two years that the league is constantly increasing, ”said Ronaldo in a video published by Al Nasr on X.
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“I am happy because I know that the league is very competitive. Only the people who have never played in Saudi understand nothing about football, say that this league is not the top five [in the world].
“I think 100% in my words and the people playing in this league, I know what I'm talking about.”
Ronaldo also accepted Saudi Arabia as host of the FIFA World Cup 2034.
“That's why I want to stay because I believe in the project – not only in the next two years, but by 2034 the World Cup in Saudi Arabia. I think too [World Cup] always.”
Cristian Ronaldo fully supported the Saudi Pro league and the hosting of the Saudi Arabia of the 2034 World Cup. Mohammed Saad/Anadolu about Getty Images
The Portuguese captain added that his goal of staying with Al Nassr was to win a large trophy with the team in Riad after not ending up since his arrival since 2022.
“My goal is always to win something important for Al Nassr. And of course I still believe in it,” added Ronaldo.
“That's why I renewed the two years more because I think I will be a champion in Saudi Arabia.”
Ronaldo, who came to Al Nassr after his departure from Manchester United, scored 93 goals in all competitions.
Ronaldo also observes the milestone of 1,000 goals in his career. He scored 794 goals in clubball and 138 for Portugal to bring his balance sheet to 932.
Before signing his new deal, speculation about the plans of the 40-year-old in the last month when FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the discussions about Ronaldo play in the World Club Championship, although Al Nassr did not qualify.
However, he said they had to rest as playing in the revised tournament in the USA.
“I had some offers to play in the World Cup, but I think it made no sense because I prefer a good break, good preparation, because this season will be very long because it is the World Cup season at the end of the year,” he said.
“I want to be ready not only for Al Nassr, but also for the national team. That's why I decided to play the last game for the Nations League and not hear anything,” he added.
“And of course to be in this club that I love”.
Ronaldo scored in the final of the Nations League against Spain for Portugal at the beginning of this month. The game ended 2-2 before his team hit European champion in punishments.
In this report, information from Reuters was used.
