Cristiano Ronaldo has declared that he is hungry for extra titles on his two-year anniversary with Saudi Professional League facet Al Nassr.
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The Portugal captain, named the Greatest Center East Participant of 2024 on the latest Globe Soccer Awards, has scored 74 objectives in 83 video games since becoming a member of on a free switch in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United.
Reflecting on his time in Riyadh, Ronaldo, who turns 40 on Feb. 5, advised the league’s in-house media channel: “I am joyful and my household is joyful. We began a brand new life on this stunning nation. Life is nice, soccer is nice.
“When it comes to particular person and collective, we’re nonetheless there; we’re nonetheless enhancing.”
Ronaldo, who has scored greater than 900 objectives in his profession and holds the lads’s world document for many worldwide objectives, believes the Saudi Professional League has been shifting in the fitting route since his arrival.
“For me, it’s an honour that the league is rising and plenty of star gamers are coming to make the league even higher and extra aggressive,” he stated. “To be the primary one — for example a star — to return right here is an honour, however what I am wanting ahead to is the following 5 to 10 years of the league nonetheless enhancing. Not solely the primary groups, but additionally the academies.
“Not only for the way forward for the Saudi [players] and the league, however for the nation and to compete with different leagues, that is my dream. And that is what I’ll attempt to assist the nation and league attain and be there at that degree.
“Individuals take a look at Cristiano for example, not simply on the pitch, but additionally off it.”
Ronaldo has lifted one title, the Arab Membership Champions Cup in 2023, since becoming a member of Al Nassr. Regardless of lacking out on silverware final season, he scored a Saudi Professional League document 35 objectives in his first full marketing campaign.
“You already know, whenever you win titles, issues come simpler, and to have the privilege to win in my first 12 months right here my first trophy was superb,” Ronaldo stated. “However I need extra. I’ll proceed to push and assist my crew Al Nassr to win titles. I consider that this 12 months shall be a superb 12 months for Al Nassr.”
Al Nassr are fourth within the Saudi Professional League, 11 factors adrift of league leaders Al Ittihad.
“It is laborious to compete with groups like Al Hilal and Al Ittihad, however we’re nonetheless there, nonetheless pushing and preventing,” Ronaldo stated. “Soccer is like that; you will have good moments and dangerous moments however, for me, a very powerful factor is to be skilled, to push laborious, respect the membership, respect your contract and consider that issues will change — for Al Nassr to attempt to win extra titles.
“The [AFC] Champions League is one thing I need to win for the membership, however a very powerful is to maintain pushing and be skilled.”
