Portuguese football star, Cristiano Ronaldo has explained why he turned back on Europe and made a complete switch to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo is set to earn an eye-watering £173million per year in the Middle East country, an unprecedented footballing payday which also signals the conclusion of his top-level career.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner who is now the most high-profile player ever to grace Asian football, said he’s fortunate to have won everything he set out to win in European football and now feels this is the right moment to share his experience in Asia.
Speaking after signing for the club, Ronaldo said;
“I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country. The vision of what Al Nassr are doing and developing in Saudi Arabia both in terms of men’s and women’s football is very inspiring. We can see from Saudi Arabia’s recent performance at the World Cup that this is a country with big football ambitions and a lot of potential.
“I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football and feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia. I am looking forward to joining my new teammates and together with them, help the club to achieve success.”
Ronaldo leaves behind arguably the greatest European career of all time, forged over 21 glittering years. On top of winning five Champions League crowns, seven league titles; namely those of England, Italy, and Spain and 20 other trophies at club level, the Portugal captain fired his nation to a historic win at Euro 2016, the first of two honours at international level.
