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Cristiano Ronaldo praises Saudi Arabia after being rumored to be leaving

24/05/23 11:25 by Fabien Borne

The Spanish press speculated on Tuesday morning that Cristiano Ronaldo would leave Saudi Arabia in the next summer mercato. A few hours later, the Portuguese scored with Al Nassr and praised his host country and its championship.

Who said that Cristiano Ronaldo was disappointed with his Saudi adventure? He didn't. While the Portuguese legend has appeared frustrated on several occasions since his winter signing at Al Nassr, who are unlikely to win the title, CR7 praised Saudi Arabia and the Saudi league on Tuesday night.

Interviewed by local channel SSC after his team's 3-2 victory over Al Shabab, a match during which he scored the winning goal, Cristiano Ronaldo declared his love for his new home.

"Saudi Arabia has an incredible potential"

"The championship is much better. In my opinion, the Saudi league is improving and will be even better next season. Step by step, I think this league will be one of the five best in the world, but they need time, new players, infrastructure. But I think this country has incredible potential, incredible people and I think the championship will be even better in the future."

Not exactly the speech of a player on the move, right? As a reminder, the Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo claimed on Tuesday morning, a few hours before these statements, that Cristiano Ronaldo was disappointed with the reality of the Saudi league and his new life in Saudi Arabia and wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Knowing that Saudi Arabia has big ambitions for the summer mercato, including that of attracting Lionel Messi, it is difficult to see Cristiano Ronaldo leave this summer and sit at 38 years on a contract that weighs nearly 200 million euros per year.