Cristiano Ronaldo emphatically reaffirmed his commitment to Al-Nassr on Saturday, dismissing speculation linking him with a move to Major League Soccer after leading his team to a 4-0 victory over Al-Hazem and scoring two goals in the process.
The Portuguese forward’s declaration comes amid recent rumors fueled by a brief period where he sat out two matches for Al-Nassr, prompting questions about his future. Ronaldo addressed those concerns directly following the match, stating his happiness in Saudi Arabia and expressing gratitude for the reception he and his family have received, according to reports from beinsports.com and msn.com.
“I’m very happy,” Ronaldo told Saudi broadcaster Thmanyah, as reported by si.com. “As I say so many times, I belong to Saudi Arabia. It’s a country that has welcomed me very well, and my family and my friends. I’m happy here, I want to continue here.”
The reaffirmation of his commitment follows a period of reported discontent stemming from Al-Nassr’s transfer activity. Ronaldo had reportedly expressed frustration over the club’s acquisition of his former Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema, to Al Hilal, perceiving it as a lack of ambition from Al-Nassr, si.com reported. He briefly went on strike in protest, but has since returned to action.
Despite the earlier unrest, Ronaldo emphasized the positive trajectory of the team, stating that Al-Nassr is “on a positive path and growing stronger match by match.” He also highlighted his personal ambition to reach 1,000 career goals, currently standing at 962 after his brace against Al-Hazem, leaving him 38 goals short of the milestone.
The victory over Al-Hazem places Al-Nassr in a tight title race, alongside Al Hilal and Al Ahli, with just two points separating the three clubs. Al-Nassr will next face Al-Najma SC on February 25, continuing their pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title. Ronaldo’s focus remains firmly on achieving success with Al-Nassr, both individually and collectively, as he chases further milestones in his career.
Ronaldo’s decision effectively closes the door, for now, on the possibility of a reunion with Lionel Messi in MLS, a scenario that had been speculated upon for years. The Portuguese star’s commitment to Saudi Arabia signals a sustained investment in the Saudi Pro League and a clear intention to contribute to its growth, despite earlier frustrations with club decisions.
