The Portuguese international footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who has represented the Saudi Al Nassr since January, guaranteed this 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 opinion, Europe has lost a lot of quality,” the striker told reporters after the friendly between Al Nassr and Celta de Vigo, which the Spaniards won 5-0, at the Estádio Algarve.
Cristiano Ronaldo later explained that “the only league in the world” that he watches “at a higher level than all the others” is the English Premier League.
“The Spanish League is not with that great quality, the Portuguese League is a good league but it is not a top-top league, in my opinion, and I also think the German league lost a lot. I’m sure I won’t. play more in the Europa League”, reinforced the Portuguese international.
Asked about a possible foray into the North American League (MLS), as happened with Lionel Messi, who reinforced Inter Miami, Cristiano Ronaldo was clear: “Not either. [Saudita]the championship is much better than in the United States”.
Still in relation to the Saudi League, the Portuguese forward said that he himself “opened Pandora’s box and now everyone goes there, by chance or not”: “I am very happy, because I said that the Saudi League was going to be, in three years, the fifth best league in the world, but if it continues like this, I think that in a year the Turkish league will pass, the Dutch league and then, with the number of top players already signed, it will be very good.”
After a 21-year career, the Portuguese striker recalled that he continues to break records and considered that he always has something to prove, as well as wanting to continue setting “an example of longevity”.
“When we have nothing to prove, it is a sign that we are dead for life. Every year I have something to prove, to show that I can set an example of longevity. At 38 and a half years old, I think that ‘I’m still going to do very interesting: goals, assists, good preparation in the national team, having a good qualifying phase and a good Eurocup, and continuing with my usual dynamic. It’s been a 21-year career, I think. I’ll continue to enjoy it in the same way, I still feel useful ”, he stressed.
The Portuguese international, who started training last week, played the first few minutes in a pre-season match with Al Nassr, having played only the first half against Spanish side Celta Vigo, in the Algarve Trophy premiere.
“The first half was very good. We dominated. Then the referee overreacted, I think he completely ruined the game. That sending off killed the game and, when it is like that, it’s difficult. You concede the first goal and then the team falls.” he declared, considering himself “very happy” with the Portuguese coach Luís Castro.
On Thursday, Al Nassr faces Benfica and Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to play “maybe 60, 70 minutes” to continue gaining form.
The Portuguese international also left a message for the women’s team, which will kick off the World Cup against the Netherlands on Sunday.
“It is a force, that they continue to do the excellent work that they have been doing so far. It is a sport that is growing a lot. They have our support, as you saw a month ago, when we gave them a jersey to support, and that is supporting as if it were a men’s team. I think that women’s football is growing a lot and what I want is happiness and that they give it their best,” she said.
Source: TSF
