Cristiano Ronaldo has slammed his critics after being unveiled as an Al-Nassr player by the Saudi Arabian club on January 3, saying that he had turned down multiple offers from Europe and North America.
Notably, Ronaldo agreed to a lucrative contract with the club, making him the highest-paid player in the history of the sport, and expressed his desire to play in Al Nassr’s next game. The team returns to Saudi Pro League action on Thursday against Al Tee.
In one of the more surprising transfers in recent history, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to play in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo, who has five Ballon d’Or awards and five Champions League titles, will play outside Europe for the first time.
“Many people speak and give you opinions, but they know nothing about football. As you know, football now, probably in the last 10-15 years, has become different. All the teams are well prepared, ready. If you see the example of the World Cup, the only team that defeated the champions was Saudi Arabia. Many surprises, South Korea, for example, the African teams. It’s not easy for any team to win at that level. The evolution of football is changing,” Ronaldo told the media in a presser after being unveiled as an Al Nassr player on January 3.
“For me, it’s not the end of my career to come to South Africa (Arabia). This is why I want to change. To be honest, I don’t care what people say. I took my decision. I am really, really happy to be here. I know the league (Saudi) is very competitive. I know that because I saw many games. People don’t know that as well,” Ronaldo added.
“I want to play, I am ready to enjoy the football, enjoy the people. I can say now that I got many opportunities in Europe, many clubs in Brazil, in Australia, in the US, even in Portugal, many clubs tried to sign me. But, I gave the opportunity to this club, I got the opportunity to develop not just football. I know what I want. For me, it’s a good chance to develop many important points with my knowledge and experience,” Ronaldo further said.
The move is expected to bring unprecedented attention to Saudi football ahead of a potential bid to host the World Cup in 2030, as well as to Al Nassr, a club little known outside of Asia. For Ronaldo, however, it is likely to be the end of his career in elite club football.