Cristiano Ronaldo admits he struggled to adjust to Saudi Arabia’s scorching heat after £173m move to Al-Nassr – as he reveals training is ‘the biggest difference’ later
Cristiano Ronaldo is candid about the teething problems he first encountered when he joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in December.
The superstar striker left Manchester United after his contract was torn up by the club in November following his interview with Piers Morgan, opting for a major move to Saudi Arabia.
The five-time champions league and Ballon d’Or winner started life in the Middle East with five goals in his first three games, but has since revealed how a fresh start in the oil-rich country brought its own struggles.
“The biggest difference I’ve found in Saudi Arabia, of course, is the heat and adjusting schedules to train later in the day when it’s cooler,” he said while working for Live Score.
“But I’m really used to that now. The fans here have been incredible to me, welcoming me and those who follow me to continue this amazing journey.
Cristiano Ronaldo is candid about the early struggles he faced when he moved to Saudi Arabia
Ronaldo (centre) moved to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in December after leaving Manchester United
“Every league and every country is different and I’m very proud to have experienced (and won in all) three different leagues in Europe,” he added.
Unlike in Europe, training sessions in Saudi Arabia often take place in the evenings with scorching dessert temperatures in the state often rising above 40 degrees.
That has forced Ronaldo to change his day-to-day lifestyle, with the 38-year-old switching from daytime sessions to evening sessions, where the cooler weather allows players to spend longer periods outdoors.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus striker finished his debut season in the developing Saudi league with 14 goals in 16 league appearances for Al-Nassr.
There was speculation that the Portugal international could return to Europe in a career-ending move, but he has since pledged to spend another season in the Middle East.
Other European figureheads have since followed Portugal’s captaincy to the Middle East, with former Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema signing a three-year contract worth £258 million.
Ronaldo is back in Europe ahead of Portugal’s upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers
Chelsea’s Ngolo Kante is also about to trade European football for the riches of Saudi Arabia after undergoing a medical ahead of his planned move to Al-Ittihad.
Ronaldo believes the influx of well-known talents from the Saudi Pro League is just the beginning for the moneyed state.
“It didn’t surprise me, but it makes me really happy to see that people all over the world are now watching the Saudi Pro League.
“I believe the league will continue to develop and many more players from European leagues will come to play here,” he said.