Cristiano Ronaldo reveals key change he had to get used to in Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that huge change he had to get used to after moving to Saudi Arabia and joining Al Nassr.

Ronaldo completed a stunning £175-million-a-year switch to Nassr in December after his contract with Manchester United was terminated by mutual consent.

He had previously spent his entire career in Europe turning out for Sporting, United, Real Madrid and Juventus but made the move to Saudi in a bid to inspire the next generation.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, along with other half Georgina Rodriguez and the rest of his family, had to adapt to a completely different culture.

And one big difference Ronaldo had to grow accustomed to was the difference in training times, with afternoon or evening sessions instead of morning grafts.

“One example is that in Europe we train more in the morning, but here we train in the afternoon or evening and in Ramadan we train at 10 at night," he told the Saudi Pro League's official YouTube channel.

"So, this is strange, but as I tell you these situations are part of an experience, memories.

“I like to live these moments because you learn with these things. It is difficult, but it is nothing I have not seen before. My experience so far is that Saudi fans really love football and like to live the life and it is good and I am so happy now.”

Image: Alamy

Although he regularly hit headlines for throwing stops during and after games, Ronaldo scored 14 goals in 16 games for his team as they finished second to Nuno Espirito Santo's Al Ittihad.

There had been rumours swirling about Ronaldo's future but he has stressed his desire to continue in the Saudi Pro League, which he believes can become one of the best in the world in the coming years.

In the same interview, Ronaldo explained how the league needs to improve in order to become a top five league - citing the VAR system, infrastructure as two areas.

Image: Alamy

"The league is very good," Ronaldo said.

"But I think we have many, many opportunities to still grow. The league is competitive. We have very good teams, very good Arab players, but they need to improve a little bit more the infrastructure.

"Even the referees, the VAR system, should be a little quicker. I think other small things they need to improve.

"But I am happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here. And in my opinion if they continue to do the work that they want to do here, for the next five years, I think the Saudi league can be a top five league in the world."

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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