Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on a number of topics after Al Nassr’s humiliating 5-0 defeat to Celta Vigo in preseason. The striker has revealed that he has no plans to return to European football, confirming the end of a chapter. And on the other hand, he has also commented on how he paved the way for other European stars to join the Saudi league.
A number of high-profile players have left the top European leagues to move to the Saudi Pro League. And as per Ronaldo’s prediction, more will follow in the years to come.
Cristiano Ronaldo opens up on Saudi Arabia project ambitions
“The Saudi league is better than MLS,” the Portugal star said when asked about making a move to the U.S. like Lionel Messi.
“I opened the way to the Saudi league, and now all the players are coming here.”
“In one year, more and more top players will come to Saudi. In a year the Saudi league will overtake the Turkish league and Dutch league,” Cristiano Ronaldo added.
“I’m 100 percent sure I won’t return to any European club,” Ronaldo said. “I’m 38 years old. And European football has lost a lot of quality. The only valid one and still doing good is the Premier League. They’re way ahead of all the other leagues.”
“My decision to join Saudi clubs was 100% crucial to bring in new top players. It’s a fact”.
“When I joined Juventus, Serie A was dead and then after I signed… it was revived. Wherever Cristiano goes he generates higher interest,”
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s January transfer to Al Nassr, reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Marcelo Brozovic, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino have already joined the Saudi Pro League.
And given the way they are targeting players across Europe’s top leagues by offering them irresistible financial deals, many more could follow.