Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo, who has represented Saudi side Al Nassr since January, guaranteed on Monday that the return to European football is a “completely closed door”.
“That door is completely closed. I said when I signed [pelo Al Nassr], I am already 38 and a half years old and it is not worth it. In my eyes, Europe has lost a lot of quality,” the striker told journalists, after the friendly match between Al Nassr and Celta de Vigo, which the Spaniards won 5-0, in Estádio Algarve.
Cristiano Ronaldo later explained that “the only league in the world” that he sees “at a higher level than any other” is the English Premier League.
“The Spanish league doesn’t have that great quality, the Portuguese league is a good league, but it’s not a top league in my opinion, and the German league has also lost a lot. I’m sure I won’t.” no longer play in the league. Europe,” the Portuguese international confirmed.
Asked about a possible foray into the North American League (MLS), as happened with Lionel Messi, who strengthened Inter Miami, Cristiano Ronaldo was clear: “Neither. [Saudita]the championship is much better than in the United States”.
Still referring to the Saudi League, the Portuguese striker said that he himself “opened Pandora’s box and now everyone goes there, coincidence or not”: “I am very happy, because I said that the Saudi League would be, in the fifth best league in the world for three years, but if it continues like this, I think in a year the Turkish league, the Dutch league will be over and then, with the number of top players already signed, it will be very good “.
After 21 years of career, the Portuguese striker recalled that he continues to break records and felt he always had something to prove, besides wanting to continue to set “an example of longevity”.
“If we have nothing to prove, it is a sign that we are dead for life. Every year I have something to prove, to prove that I can be an example of longevity. At 38 and a half years old I think I think I’m still going to do some very interesting things: goals, assists, good preparation in the national team – a good qualifying phase and a good European Championship – and continuing my dynamism as always It’s a 21-year career, I “I continue to enjoy it in the same way, I still feel useful,” underlined.
The Portugal international, who started training last week, played the opening minutes in a pre-season match for Al Nassr, having only played the first half against Spanish side Celta de Vigo, in the opening of the Algarve Trophy.
“The first half was very good. We dominated. In retrospect the referee overreacted, I think he completely ruined the game. That exclusion killed the game and when it does it’s difficult. You get the first goal against and then the team goes down,” he stated, considering himself “very happy” with Portuguese coach Luís Castro.
On Thursday, Al Nassr will face Benfica and Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to play “maybe 60, 70 minutes” to keep up his form.
The Portuguese international also left a message to the women’s team, which starts the World Cup against the Netherlands on Sunday.
“It’s empowering that they continue to do the excellent job they’ve done so far. It’s a sport that is growing tremendously. They have our support, as you saw a month ago when we gave a shirt to support, and that’s support as if it were a men’s team. I think women’s football is growing a lot and what I wish is luck and they try their best,” he said.
Source: DN
