The move by Cristiano Ronaldo to Al Nassr sent shockwaves throughout the soccer world. It was almost unheard of for such a high-profile player to leave the European leagues behind and embark on a new adventure in Saudi Arabia. But Ronaldo’s decision to join Al Nassr turned out to be a game-changer, as it opened the floodgates for other top soccer players like Neymar Jr., Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane among many others to follow suit.
One cannot ignore the staggering offer that enticed Ronaldo to make this move. The Portuguese striker signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al Nassr, worth a mind-boggling $500 million. This enormous contract made Ronaldo the highest-paid athlete in the world. It’s a deal that would make anyone’s head spin, and one would expect a 38-year-old Ronaldo to just kick back and take it easy after such a lucrative offer. However, that’s just not the way Ronaldo operates.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s stats speak for himself
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Ronaldo’s debut for Al Nassr was delayed due to a ban he received during his time with Manchester United. But he finally made his first appearance on January 23rd against Al Ettifaq. Despite failing to find the back of the net in his debut, Ronaldo didn’t disappoint throughout the season. In his first season with Al Nassr, Ronaldo played 19 matches across all competitions, scoring an impressive 14 goals and providing 2 assists.
His performances were so exceptional that he was even awarded the Player of the Month accolade in February. Despite his best efforts, Al Nassr failed to secure any trophies during that season. But even that changed in his second season with the team. In the Arab Club Champions Cup, he displayed his finishing prowess by netting an impressive 6 goals. Two of these goals came in the finals against Al Hilal, helping Al Nassr secure the trophy.
This victory marked Ronaldo’s first silverware with the team. The current season has further highlighted the 5x Ballon d’Or winner’s commitment and determination. He is currently the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League, with an impressive 11 goals in 9 matches. These performances have earned him back-to-back Player of the Month awards in August and September.
His goal tally of 41 in 2023 is the highest by any player, surpassing the likes of Erling Haaland (40) and Kylian Mbappe (37). Ronaldo’s statistics speak for themselves, proving that he is far from being on vacation in Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo is treating Al Nassr very seriously
As discussed earlier Saudi Arabia hasn’t traditionally been a top destination for soccer players like the top European leagues. And fans wouldn’t be wrong to speculate that Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr was merely a transition move, a way for him to eventually make his way back to Europe. However, we believe that this may not be the case.
In fact, it seems that Ronaldo is taking his stint at Al Nassr very seriously and is fully committed to the club. According to reports he even wishes to retire with Al Nassr only. Another indicator of Ronaldo’s commitment to Al Nassr is his decision to involve his family in his Saudi adventure. The Portuguese superstar’s eldest son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., recently signed a three-year contract with the Al Nassr U-15 side.
Not only that, but he also received the coveted number 7 shirt, a number that holds great significance for Ronaldo and his fans. This move by Ronaldo to include his son in his soccer journey in Saudi Arabia speaks volumes about his dedication to Al Nassr and his belief in the club’s future ambitions. It shows that Ronaldo is not simply treating his time in Saudi Arabia as a vacation or a stepping stone to something bigger. Instead, he is invested in the club and its vision for the future.
This is just who Ronaldo is!
Lastly, it only takes the fact that Ronaldo is who he is to demonstrate why he is not taking it lightly in Saudi Arabia. Throughout his journey, Ronaldo has consistently displayed a hunger for success and a relentless drive to score goals. From his early days as a young player with potential at Sporting CP to his legendary status at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, he has always been a player with an unwavering desire to win.
Even at the age of 38, Ronaldo has maintained an incredible level of fitness and professionalism. He is known to arrive early for training sessions and consistently puts in the hard work required to stay at the top of his game. Ronaldo’s approach to his time with Al Nassr is no different.
In a match against Al Fateh, he showcased his winning mentality by scoring his first goal with the club. However, he did not do his iconic celebration after achieving this milestone. Why? Because the goal only helped to level the score at 2-2 Ronaldo was determined to score another goal that would secure the victory for his team.
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Ronaldo is 𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 🐐
He calmly converts a penalty-kick in second-half stoppage time to level on the night and open his account in Saudi Arabia 💪#RoshnSaudiLeague | #CR7𓃵 | @EnFatehclub | @AlNassrFC_EN | @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/L3tiql2DNG
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) February 3, 2023
This is just one small example of CR7’s commitment to any game he plays. Whether it be with his club or the national team, he does not take any game lightly. He always gives his utmost effort to achieve success. It is this unfaltering dedication that has propelled Ronaldo to become one of the best players in soccer history.
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Do you agree with our take? Let us know in the comments below.