KSAsportz report
LISBON — In a recent press conference, Cristiano Ronaldo refuted claims that he influenced fellow Portuguese player João Félix’s transfer to Al Nassr, affirming that player recruitment is beyond his scope of responsibilities. This statement comes after Al Nassr’s impressive 4-0 victory in a friendly match against Rio Ave on Thursday.
Ronaldo stated, “I don’t do that, I don’t talk on the phone. That’s not my job. You said it, but my job is to train and play.” The Al Nassr captain sought to clarify the narratives surrounding Félix’s transfer from Chelsea, particularly addressing claims related to his departure from Benfica. “Stealing is a bad word. Nobody stole anything from Benfica. Everyone knows João; he’s very talented, and I believe he’ll help us a lot in the Saudi league,” he remarked.
Further emphasizing the quality of the league, Ronaldo noted the high-caliber competition, especially highlighted during the FIFA Club World Cup. “The Saudi Pro League is very competitive. You don’t know — you’re far from the pitch — but we’ve seen it,” he asserted.
In comparing leagues, Ronaldo proclaimed that Félix made a smarter career choice moving to Saudi Arabia, stating, “It was a better choice than playing in Portugal. Look at the number of stars in Saudi. Even without the Champions League, it was a very wise decision.” Recent statistics indicate that the Saudi Pro League has attracted over 10 international stars in the past year alone, significantly enhancing its competitiveness.
As Al Nassr gears up for the upcoming season, Ronaldo emphasized the importance of preseason fitness. “The most important thing is fatigue, good training, and getting back to full fitness. We want to be ready for our first official match on the 19th in Hong Kong in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final against Al Ittihad,” he stated.
On a personal note, Ronaldo, who scored against Rio Ave, expressed contentment with his performance: “Scoring goals is always good. I’m happy, and preseason is going well.”
Looking ahead to the Portuguese league season, he concluded optimistically, saying, “I hope it’s competitive. I always wish the best, and I hope Sporting Lisbon can win the title again.”