Cristiano Ronaldo plans to express his frustrations following the conclusion of the current season, citing ongoing criticism of the Saudi Professional League as detrimental to its reputation.
In the aftermath of Al Ahly’s defeat to Al Nasr earlier this month, players from Al Ahly voiced concerns over alleged preferential treatment that Ronaldo’s team receives from referees.
“This ongoing dissatisfaction is not beneficial for the league. Everyone is raising complaints,” Ronaldo commented after Al Nasr secured a 2-0 victory over Al Ahly, which keeps them on course for promotion within the league. “This should be about football, not warfare. We all know we need to compete for victories, but the spirit of the game should remain intact.”
Ronaldo indicated that he intends to elaborate on these issues at the end of the season, stating, “I have witnessed many troubling situations that need to be addressed.”
He criticized players who utilize social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to complain about refereeing decisions and the league itself. “This sets a poor example. Our aim should be to demonstrate our ambition to compete with the best leagues worldwide,” he added. “We must engage in reflective analysis but refrain from continuous criticism, as that diverges from the essence of football.”
Ronaldo, who is 41, has also revealed he will clarify his decision to boycott two matches in the Saudi Professional League earlier this year. His stance came in response to rival club Al Hilal enhancing their roster by signing former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema during the winter transfer window.
“It has been a challenging season both on and off the pitch,” Ronaldo acknowledged. “We are aware of our competitors’ strengths, yet the opportunity to discuss these issues will arise at the end of the season.”
Despite his frustrations, Ronaldo remains optimistic about helping Al Nasr capture their first title since 2019, following his arrival in December 2022. He stated, “The competition for the league title will persist until the final matches. We anticipated facing one of the league’s toughest teams.”
Ronaldo is generating unprecedented interest in the league. Following a recent match, he was shown footage of young fans celebrating and asked about his legacy. “This is truly an honor for me,” he remarked. “I continue to play not just for this generation, but for those that preceded and will follow. I cherish each moment, every match, knowing that the end of this chapter in my career is nearing.”
With Al Nasr having four league matches remaining and trailing Al Hilal by eight points—who have a game in hand—Ronaldo is focused on securing a win. He also reached a remarkable milestone with his opening goal, bringing his career total to 970 goals.
