Cristiano Ronaldo spoke in an interview with the official channels of the Saudi Arabian League and assured that he would stay in Saudi Arabia next year. “I’m very happy here. I want to stay here and I will,” he said.
The Portuguese expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that he did not win the national title, but was excited about the upcoming season. “I wanted to win this year, but we couldn’t. I am very confident and set for next year,” he recalls.
Al Nasr, where Ronaldo plays, ended the season in second place, five points behind Al Ittihad. The first team to win the championship is coached by Portugal’s Nuno Espirito Santo.
The 38-year-old, who arrived in the country from the Middle East in January this year, has scored 14 goals in 16 Saudi league games. Ronaldo believes that the competition can enter the top five in the world.
“In my opinion, if they continue the work that they are doing, in the next five years, the Saudi League can enter the top 5. [das melhores ligas]”.
Ronaldo praises Saudi people and culture
In an interview given to the official media of the Saudi Arabian Football League, the player, who has been voted the best player in the world five times, called the people of Saudi Arabia “in love with football”.
Asked to point out the biggest challenges between football in Europe and the Middle East, Ronaldo highlights the training schedule. “Here [Arábia Saudita] we train more during the day or at night, during Ramadan. In Europe, it’s usually more in the morning,” he said.
Despite this, the Portuguese praises the culture of the Saudis and says that both he and his family enjoy the experience.
“Riyadh is one of the places with the best quality of restaurants. The school for children is very good,” he adds.
Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to add another title to the 33 he has won in over 20 years of his career. The Portuguese promises to “give everything while I’m here.”