Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr is Saudi Arabia after his departure from Manchester United
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Many fans believed that in joining Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo had taken the easy option.
Despite searching for a club in the Champions League in the summer, a move never materialised for the former Manchester United forward and this pattern seemed to continue whenRonaldoleft Old Trafford in December. The 37-year-old and the club agreed to terminate his contract after he took aim at Erik ten Hag and Glazer ownership during an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
As part of the same interview, Ronaldo seemed to scoff at the idea of moving to Saudi Arabia after the World Cup, but he joined Al-Nassr on a massive contract reported to be worth around 175million per year.
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Ronaldo said at his unveiling that his agent and camp fielded many calls of interest from Europe, America and Australia, but he ultimately made the decision to move to the Middle East. Many believe the move has signaled the end of Ronaldos career at the top level, regardless of what he achieves while in Saudi Arabia or the records he breaks.
However Barcelona boss Xavi has warned Ronaldo that it wont be easy. The Spanish manager spent six years in the Middle East, playing for and then managing the Qatari side Al-Sadd. He told the media: Ronaldo has signed for one of the best clubs in Saudi Arabia, but its a challenge.
Xavi also challenged the perception that Saudi Arabia is a much weaker league: Saudi Arabia has things to improve, but thats the same as in Spain, where we have 200 hundred things to improve. Everyone deserves that football should go around the world.
Ronaldo is still waiting to make his competitive debut for Al-Nassr as he serves a two-game suspension for a charge he received while atUnited.However, fans may see him in the shirt earlier as the Saudi Arabian side play Lionel Messis Paris Saint-Germain side in a friendly.
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