Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence after Saudi Arabia strike with future statement
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Cristiano Ronaldo recently went on strike at Al-Nassr, protesting against the club’s owners after they allowed title rivals Al-Hilal to sign Karim Benzema in a controversial transfer
Cristiano Ronaldo spoke out after going on strike(Image: Thmanyah Sports)
Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed that he ‘belongs to Saudi Arabia’ in an emphatic response to speculation over his future. Ronaldo, 41, cast doubt over Al-Nassr career earlier this month when he refused to play.
The Portugal captain missed two fixtures as he protested the PIF’s decision to allow Karim Benzema to sign for Al-Nassr’s title rivals, Al-Hilal, from reigning champions Al-Ittihad. All three clubs are controlled by the PIF, who pay Ronaldo’s eye-watering £488,000-a-day wages.
Ronaldo returned from his strike last weekend, scoring in his side’s 2-0 win away to Al-Fateh. On Saturday, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was back at Al-Nassr’s home stadium and bagged an important brace.
Their 4-0 victory over Al-Hazem saw them leapfrog Al-Hilal and go top of the table by one point. Post-match, Ronaldo spoke to Thmanyah Sports and reaffirmed his commitment to Saudi.
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“Yeah, I’m very happy,” the forward smiled. “As I say so many times, I belong to Saudi Arabia. It’s a country that welcomed very well to me and my family and my friends.
“I’m happy here. I want to continue here. And the most important, it’s we keep pushing. We are there in the top. Our job is to win, make pressure [on our title rivals], and let’s see.
“We are on track. We’re back; we are good; we are confident. Game by game. We are in a good shape. Let’s see what’s going to happen.”
After taking his all-time goal tally to an obscene 962, assisted in each half by team-mate Kingsley Coman, Ronaldo added: “We created so many chances, in my opinion. We should score more, but we won – that is the most important.
“Without conceding goals, again. I’m very happy with the result and, of course, for the goals.”
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Also after the game, Ronaldo wore a traditional bisht to honour Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day. It was a reminder that the former Manchester United megastar remains the face of sport in the Middle East.
Earlier this week, Ronaldo’s manager, Jorge Jesus, backed his captain by claiming that Al-Hilal have more ‘economic power’ than Al-Nassr. “I’ve already been at Al Hilal,” Jesus explained.
“I’ve been on the other side, so I know what that’s lik. I’ve already benefited from it. They have more economic power. When I was there, I benefited as a coach. It’s normal. Al-Nassr, with different resources, has to compete for the top spots. We have to continue to be strong.”
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