Cristiano Ronaldo reveals reason behind Al Nassr U-turn after hinting at summer exit - and how partner Georgia Rodriguez feels about him committing to two more years in Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo has explained his decision to sign a new two-year contract with Al-Nassr.
The 40-year-old had been heavily linked with a move away from the Saudi Arabian club but has elected to stay put.
Ronaldo is set to earn a basic £492million over the course of the deal, which is reportedly the most lucrative in sporting history.
Portugal star Ronaldo has expressed his desire to win further silverware with Al-Nassr, with his only trophy with the club so far having been the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
Ronaldo said: 'Of course since day one I have a compromise that to make change not only in Al-Nassr but in the country too. My goal is always to win something important for Al-Nassr and of course that is why I renewed the two years more because I believe that I will be champion in Saudi Arabia.'
Ronaldo confirmed that he received offers to play in the expanded Club World Cup but stated that he wanted to ensure that he is fully fit for Al-Nassr this season and also for Portugal ahead of next year's World Cup.
Ronaldo continued: 'I had some offers to play World Cup but I think it didn't make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation because this season will be very long because this is the season of the World Cup at the end of the season.
'I want to be ready not only for Al-Nassr but also for the national team, so this is why I decide to play the last game for the Nations League and to not listen to anything and to be in this club, which I love.'
Furthermore, Ronaldo stated that he believes that the Saudi Pro League is one of the top five leagues in world football.
He said: 'We are still improving but I believe we are in the top five already. I still believe we continue to improve and we have time. We show the last two years that the league is going up all the time, so I'm happy because I know the league is very competitive.
'Only the people that don't understand anything about football and say this league is not in a top five. I believe 100 per cent in my words and the people who play in this league. They know what I'm talking about so this is why I want to stay.'
Ronaldo added that his decision is fully supported by his family, including his partner Georgina Rodriguez.
'Well, my family always support me, it doesn't matter what decisions I take, not only in Saudi Arabia, but all the decisions that I took before, with Juventus, Man United, Real Madrid.
'The most important thing is that your family always support you and my family always support me in my decisions, so for me it's the most important. If they are happy, then I'm happy and they are happy. We have a good life, the Saudi people treat us very, very very good, and that's why we want to live here and continue our life here.'
Although he had offers to play in the Club World Cup, Ronaldo wanted to stay at Al-Nassr
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 93 goals in 105 appearances for Al-Nassr so far.
He agreed to sign for Al-Nassr in December 2022 following the end of his second spell at Manchester United. During an incredible career Ronaldo has also featured for Sporting, Real Madrid and Juventus, scoring 938 goals in total when his contributions at international level for Portugal are also taken into account.
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