Ronaldo made life difficult for Saudi Pro League table-toppers. The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo has made things harder for the Saudi Pro League table-toppers, according to Al-Nassr player Luiz Gustavo. Cristiano Ronaldo made his first departure from European football last month when he signed for Al-Nassr on a free transfer. As a result of his £173 million annual salary in Saudi Arabia, he is currently the highest-paid footballer in the world.
Although Ronaldo’s entrance into the Middle East was met with excitement by supporters, the forward had trouble getting started. For Al-Aalami, it took him three competitive games to score his maiden goal. On Friday, February 3, the legendary Portuguese player scored a last-second penalty to give Al-Nassr a point against Al-Fateh. However, it’s important to remember that of the three games the forward has participated in, Rudi Garcia’s team has only won one.
Gustavo acknowledged that Ronaldo’s presence has made things challenging for the Riyadh-based club after the 2-2 draw with Al-Fateh. The 38-year-presence, old’s according to Al-Aalami midfielder, gives rivals more incentive to defeat the league’s top-placed team. He said: “Having Ronaldo around makes games more challenging for us because everyone wants to play their best game against him. He also serves as a source of encouragement for everyone.”
But Gustavo argued that Ronaldo’s presence had benefited the Al-Nassr players as well. “His presence at Al-Nassr provides the group a significant edge since we learn from him every day, considering the great qualities he possesses, both technically and physically,” he continued.
Although Ronaldo’s life in Saudi Arabia has gotten off to a rough start, Gustavo is confident that he will succeed. By scoring his first goal for the team, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, according to the former Bayern Munich great, has also relieved some of his burdens. Having already scored his first goal, he said: “Cristiano Ronaldo was designed for challenges, and he always succeeds in them. Everyone here is waiting to see what he will present.
Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo posted a photo of himself on Instagram celebrating his first goal for Al-Aalami. He also praised his teammates for beating Al-Fateh and earning a point in the game. “Happily scored my first goal in the Saudi League and amazing effort by the entire squad to secure an important draw in a very difficult match,” he added. Ronaldo will now be hoping to increase his goal total.
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