Cristiano Ronaldo has recently been on every soccer news publication’s headline. The Portuguese soccer legend just signed a long-term contract with Saudi soccer club, Al-Nassr F.C. Not many soccer fans expected Ronaldo to take his career in this direction.

It was publicly known that the Portuguese star was finding it difficult to find a new club. However, every fan thought that this was simply a waiting game and that a soccer club would eventually offer him a contract. But to everyone’s surprise, Cristiano Ronaldo is now an Al-Nassr F.C. player.

Recently, Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand defended the Portuguese star’s decision. In an interview with FIVE, Ferdinand revealed that he fully supports Ronaldo’s decision to go and play in the Saudi soccer league.

Rio Ferdinand in favor of Cristiano Ronaldo joining the Saudi league

In the last few days, fans and pundits from all over the world have opposed Ronaldo’s decision. The fans feel that the Portuguese star has gone to the Saudi league just for the huge sum of money he is promised as wages. Pundits have also said that this was a very sad way for the soccer legend to move away from the spotlight.

However, Rio Ferdinand has hit back at all the critics. He told FIVE, “I’m pleased for him that he’s finally happy. For any footballer whatever level, you’re playing in, happiness and being happy in the environment you’re playing in is one of the most important things”.

“It was great to see David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, it was great to see them go to America”. He continued, “That’s all I saw in the media. But because it’s Saudi Arabia it’s sad, it’s a disgrace. Let a man go and live, let a man go and enjoy it. It’s a new adventure he’s taking his family to experience a new culture”.

Ferdinand then said, “Every single country in the world has its issues. America has less issues than somewhere like Saudi?”

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Well, the jury is still out on whether Ronaldo’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia was the right one or not, but his former teammate, Rio Ferdinand has all the confidence in him and has made sure his views are in the public eye.

Could Ronaldo have gone to America instead?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Ronaldo had a chance to join an American club. Romano reported that Kansas City met with the Portuguese star before the FIFA World Cup. The American soccer side also offered a ‘huge’ salary package to try and convince Ronaldo. However, the Portuguese star still chose Saudi over America.

Cristiano Ronaldo has now walked into a completely new soccer league. The former Real Madrid star has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change Saudi Arabian soccer forever. While the soccer universe is against his decision, can the soccer legend prove his worth yet again?

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Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo has made the right choice? Let us know in the comments below.