Portuguese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo addressed the media at a press conference about his move from Saudi Arabia to Al-Nassr, stating that he does not factor in the opinions of others when making career choices.
“For me, arriving here is not the end of my career. I aim to drive change and, honestly, I don’t care what people say. I made a decision and I take responsibility for it”, he explained.
He emphasized the level of competition in the league, noting that many fans and observers might not fully grasp its intensity, but he watches numerous matches and understands what awaits his new team. He expressed readiness to participate in matches when the coach judges him ready, hoping to be on the field the day after tomorrow if that is the right moment.
On January 2, Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr with a contract reported to be worth around €200 million per year. He was formally introduced as a member of the club on that day.
At 37, Ronaldo had been without a club since November 2022. In a preceding interview with journalist Piers Morgan ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, he voiced criticisms of Manchester United’s coaching staff, management, and policies, which contributed to the termination of his contract by the club earlier that season.
Ronaldo’s career accomplishments include being the first player in history to win the English Premier League, the Spanish La Liga, and the Italian Serie A, marking him as a standout figure across European football leagues.
Prior to his move to Al-Nassr, discussions occurred with several clubs that were interested in signing him, reflecting the high level of interest in his services at the time.