The announcement in December 2022 that Cristiano Ronaldo would be transferring to Al Nassr, a club in the Saudi Pro League, caused quite a stir within the football world. The news was not only shocking due to the decision to join a league often regarded as a step down, but also because of the eye-watering salary of £177m per year, which positioned him as the highest-paid footballer globally.
Ronaldo’s Motivation to Join Saudi Arabia
“In Europe, my chapter is closed; I’ve accomplished everything, played for the most prestigious clubs, and now it’s time for a new challenge,” the Portuguese superstar remarked at the time.
“This opportunity is tremendous. Many are unaware that I had numerous offers from Europe, as well as from clubs in Brazil, Australia, the US, and even Portugal.”
“A lot of clubs sought to recruit me, but I committed to this club with the aim of developing not just football, but also other aspects of this remarkable country.”
Whether those in attendance were convinced by this reasoning is open to debate. Fast forward two and a half years, and Saudi Arabian football has definitely attracted a different calibre of player, surely thanks to Ronaldo’s impact.
High-profile names such as Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez, Yannick Carrasco, Fabinho, Jhon Duran, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, and Karim Benzema have joined him in the league. While there has been progress in recruitment and professionalism, it’s still a long way from being able to contend with the elite leagues globally.
How has Cristiano’s Journey Unfolded?
Considering all this, it can be argued that Cristiano has been a pioneer, but how has his personal journey unfolded, as well as that of Al Nassr since his arrival?
On an individual level, achieving a remarkable 72 goals and providing 16 assists in 74 matches is an impressive feat. Regardless of the comparative quality of opposition, one must also consider his age in this equation.
Just think… how many players aged 40 do you know who still score at such an extraordinary rate?
His current shooting accuracy stands at an impressive 62.9%, with 61 of his 97 total shots finding their mark this season. This is a significant improvement compared to when he first joined Al Nassr, and he also boasts a 75.5% pass completion rate, better than during his first season and a half.
Defensively, however, challenges persist; with only 16 tackles attempted and a mere six successfully executed over two and a half seasons, defence was never his forte and thus should not detract from his overall contributions.
The primary concern for both the player and Al Nassr is their failure to clinch the Saudi Pro League title since his joining, a considerable factor when considering the terms of his lucrative contract.
No Saudi Pro League Title Yet for Ronaldo
Al Hilal have dominated the league for years, and it is against them that Ronaldo and his colleagues must challenge.
Until recently, the league’s dynamics remained unchanged, but now it’s Benzema’s Al Ittihad who are leading the race for the title.
As of this writing, Al Ittihad are in first place with 68 points and five matches remaining. Their first encounter is on Wednesday night against Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, who could still contend for the title if victorious, narrowing the gap to five points with four games to play.
Benzema, once Ronaldo’s partner at Real Madrid, is now a central figure for Al Ittihad, contributing 18 goals and nine assists in 26 matches this season.
Al Hilal, faced with a match against bottom-placed Al Raed, could potentially extend their lead over Al Ittihad if the latter falters against Al Nassr, setting up an exciting finish to the season.
Ultimately, Ronaldo’s legacy at the club will be measured by the trophies acquired, and with no SPL title since the 2018/19 season, which predates his arrival, this is clearly insufficient.
A Lasting Legacy Beyond Individual Achievements
Finishing as runners-up in the previous two seasons has been frustrating for Al Nassr, despite Ronaldo setting the record for the most goals in a single SPL campaign.
History will reflect on their near misses, overshadowing significant investments in players such as Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte, Otavio, Alex Telles, and Seko Fofana.
Furthermore, Al Nassr’s hopes in the 2023/24 AFC Champions League ended prematurely in the quarter-finals at the hands of Al Ain, while their journey in the Saudi Super Cup concluded in the semi-finals. They’ve also faced disappointment in the King’s Cup, losing on penalties.
Ronaldo’s two goals against Al Hilal in the final of the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup provided some respite, earning the title and securing the Golden Boot in the tournament. However, this level of success seems somewhat inadequate considering the expectations surrounding his tenure.
When discussing a lasting legacy, a few notable victories and individual accolades aren’t sufficient to create a significant impact.
Despite his illustrious career achievements, when reflecting on his time in Saudi Arabia, will Ronaldo truly wish to be remembered as the player who initiated a financial influx and augmented his reputation, yet failed to change the prevailing dynamics both at Al Nassr and within the broader football landscape?
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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