Cristiano Ronaldo praised by Fernando Santos for ‘securing his future’ with Saudi move

Former Portugal coach Fernando Santos has commended Cristiano Ronaldo for his bold move to Al-Nassr, emphasizing that the transfer has helped him "secure his future" both professionally and financially. Santos, who led Portugal to the 2016 European Championship title, also claimed that Al-Nassr is "no different" from top European clubs in terms of professionalism and atmosphere.

Speaking on Egyptian Channel 1, Santos said, "Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr is an incredible decision, but it is a unique experience, and Al Nassr is no different to European clubs. The atmosphere in Saudi football is wonderful. Cristiano is a world-class player and was looking to secure his future."

Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia in 2023 sparked significant debate, with many questioning whether the Saudi Pro League could match the competitive environment of European football. Despite the criticism, Santos firmly supported Ronaldo's choice, citing the growing level of Saudi football and Ronaldo’s enduring ambition.

The 39-year-old forward has also been in the spotlight for his comments at the Globe Soccer Awards, where he claimed that the Saudi Pro League is superior to Ligue 1. "The Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1, of course. I'm not saying that because I play here. I don't care what people think about it. Players should come here and they will see quickly. Just try to do sprints at 38, 39, 40 degrees...Come and you will see. In France, they only have PSG, everyone else is finished. Nobody can beat them because they have the most money and the best players," Ronaldo remarked during the event.

After enjoying a brief winter break, Ronaldo is set to return to action for Al-Nassr on Thursday in a league match against Al-Akhdoud. The Saudi giants are keen to maintain their strong position in the league as Ronaldo continues to lead from the front.