Cristiano Ronaldo's insult on Xavi playing in Qatar has resurfaced after Saudi Arabia switch

Cristiano Ronaldo's insult towards Xavi Hernandez for moving to Qatar has resurfaced after he left Europe for Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo has penned a two-and-a-half year contract with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr and is expected to earn an eye-watering $200 million with wages and commercial details taken into account.

He was a free agent after his Manchester United contract was terminated by mutual consent. And with no concrete offers coming from sides in Europe, the 37-year-old will play his football in the Middle East going forward.

But fans have noticed a major contradiction with Ronaldo's decision given he slammed former Barcelona star Xavi a few years back.

After calling time on his trophy-laden stint with Barcelona, Xavi turned out for Qatari outfit Al Sadd and later managed them.

He had been quoted as talking about Ronaldo, who hit back with venom.

He said: "Yesterday I saw that the most searched for player on the internet is me. So when a player or manager want to appear on front cover of newspaper they speak about me. It's normal, I'm like a promotion.

“What does it matter to me what Xavi says? Xavi plays in Qatar or used to, I don’t know. He has no relevance. What do you want me to tell you?

"He’s won everything but he’s never won a Ballon d’Or. I have three. So I don't care what he says."

Life has certainly come at Ronaldo fast as he has joined Xavi in moving to the Middle East at the end of his career.

Image: Alamy

He had stated his desire to continue playing in the Champions League but won't even be in the Asian version of the tournament this season as Al Nassr are not in it.

Back in 2015, speaking on the Jonathan Ross show, Ronaldo made a point of how he wanted to end his career with "dignity".

"In my mind I want to finish in the top level," he said.

"I want to finish with dignity so in a good club. It doesn’t mean that to go USA or Qatar or Dubai is not good but I don’t see myself [going]."

Ronaldo is line to make his debut against Al Ta'ee, though watching the five-time Ballon d'Or in action could be tricky as no TV rights are attached to the Saudi Pro League.

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Xavi, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, 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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