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30-05-2023
RIYADH: Five months after he shocked the football world by signing for Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo’s first season in Saudi Arabia is set to end with mixed results.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is not going to add to the seven league titles won in England, Spain and Italy as his Riyadh-based club will finish second behind newly-crowned champions Al Ittihad ahead of the last match of the season on Wednesday. Al Nassr were also dumped out of the Saudi Cup in the semifinals.
But Ronaldo’s numbers on the pitch remain impressive; he has scored 14 goals in 16 league games in Saudi Arabia so far. Al Nassr may have struggled to match the consistency and defensive prowess of Al Ittihad, but they have qualified for the next edition of the Asian Champions League.
“In some matches, he stood out; in others, he didn’t, but we all know what he can do,” said Roel Coumans, head coach of Saudi Professional League club Abha, who lost 2-1 to Al Nassr in March with Ronaldo scoring the equalizing goal.
“Al Nassr have some very good players who can help and he needs support but there is no doubt that he raises the level of the team.”
There has been some upheaval during Ronaldo’s time at Al Nassr. In April, Coach Rudi Garcia left the club amid 
reports that Ronaldo was unhappy with the French coach’s methods and tactics. There is no doubt that Ronaldo has played an important part in leading the team. If he misses a chance or loses possession, his anger with himself is clear for all to see as are the demands and expectations he has from his teammates.
“Not enough attention is paid to his teammates and how he has changed the (competitive) mentality of the dressing room and the club,” said former Singapore international Sasi Kumar, now CEO of Madrid-based sports marketing company D+1. “I would love to be his teammate and see how a world champion behaves and prepares.”
Behind the scenes, Saudi football officials hope that the league will not only become the clear number one in Asia but also one of the best in the world. Ronaldo has, more than once, said it openly.
“The Saudi league is getting better, next year will be even better,” he said, after scoring a spectacular winning goal against Al Shabab on May 23. (Int’l News Desk)
