Cristiano Ronaldo is still in the news. The Al Nassr striker, in his race to reach 1,000 goals, is the big star of a Saudi league that is trying to take off and reach, with the help of big-money signings, the level of the European leagues. The Portuguese striker has reviewed his moment, talked about Mbappe and other current topics in an interview with Edu Aguirre on La Sexta.
“In Saudi Arabia, it’s going very well, it’s been almost two years and I’m really enjoying the experience, I like living here, my family does too. I’ve always had challenges in my life, since I left Madeira at the age of 12, I’m not intimidated by big challenges, I like them. Going to Saudi Arabia was not the same as playing in Europe, but it didn’t take away my sleep. I knew what the league was like here, in football you know everything. It was a different direction in my life and I like it a lot,” said Cristiano Ronaldo about his current life at Al Nassr.His mentality in Saudi Arabia: “I left home young, I saw countries, cultures… that’s why it wasn’t difficult for me. I just need to be with my family, with my children and Georgina. To have everything a family can have to be well: education, security, good schools, good home… Part of my life is football and if football goes well my family too.”
On being the pioneer in Saudi Arabia: “When I made the decision to come I didn’t think it was going to grow so fast, but I knew that in one or two years the league would be very top, as it is now. People don’t know, they think and talk too much. I’m sorry because it’s a different reality when people talk about Saudi Arabia and when they talk about the United States. Is the MLS a worse league? Obviously, but because it’s Saudi Arabia it’s looked down upon. But since I know that people don’t know what they’re talking about… Just because of the people who are here you have to give it value.”
His dedication: “I still get up wanting to train and play matches. Maybe a little less than before, but it’s my passion, I like to do what I do. It’s hard for me, but I go. Do you think I go to the gym every day with desire? No, but there is a commitment and I go.”
His future: “I could quit the sport today and I wouldn’t regret anything, but it would be a shame because I’m still very good, I’m still making a difference. I would leave myself saying ‘I can still make a difference for another year or two’, that’s why I live very much in the present and I can’t think long term.”
His day-to-day life in Saudi Arabia: “I like to have breakfast with my wife, train well, eat, pick up my children from school, accompany them to physical activities… I rest, recover, go out for dinner very occasionally.”