Cristiano Ronaldo insisted he has proven Manchester United wrong with his performances in Saudi Arabia.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who moved to the Saudi Pro League just over a year ago, scored 52 goals in all competitions across 2023, while this season he has netted 24 goals in 25 games for Al Nassr.
Ronaldo’s pioneering switch to the Saudi Pro League came after an acrimonious exit from United, which saw the Portugal star publicly hit out at the club, manager Erik ten Hag and owners the Glazer family in a tell-all TalkTV interview.
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And the forward has now insisted his goalscoring exploits in the burgeoning league serve as justification for his decision to leave United at the close of 2022.
Speaking to Record, he said: "If you go back and see what happened at Manchester United and the national team, people actually considered me lost...".
"But the truth is that I focused and had a great period at Al Nassr, that's why I scored 54 goals".
In the same interview, Ronaldo, 38, gave a cryptic answer to whether he planned to hang up his boots in the near future.
He explained: “As I often tell my friends, life is dynamic. Tomorrow is uncertain. I could end my career at the end of this season, or I could play for another two or three years... I don't know, to be honest.
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“As long as my mind and body are in good condition, and I enjoy playing football, I will continue. When I feel that I am no longer useful, I will be the first to take that step.
“Right now, I feel in a good state, and I experience satisfaction and happiness on the field, whether in the national team or at the club. I continue and enjoy.”
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr currently sit second in the Saudi Pro League, seven points adrift of league leaders Al Hilal.
Topics: Football, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Transfers, Premier League, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr
Chris Byfield