Cristiano Ronaldo rules out return to European football
Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has ruled out a return to European football, less than a year after leaving the Red Devils.
Ronaldo left United after falling out with the club and manager Erik ten Hag in October, departing before the World Cup. After being benched by Portugal manager Fernando Santos, he then signed a deal with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Some suggested that the 38-year-old forward’s stay in Saudi Arabia may only be temporary, but it appears that he will not be heading back to European football. Fabrizio Romano covered his words.
He went on to claim that the Premier League was the only ‘valid league’ in European football, despite the fact his team had just been thumped 5-0 by Celta Vigo.
‘I won’t return to European football, the door is completely closed,’ Ronaldo said. ‘…I’m 38 years old, also European football has lost a lot of quality…only valid one is Premier League, they’re way ahead of all the other leagues.’
‘The Spanish league does not have that great quality. The Portuguese league is a good league, but it is not a top, top league. The German league I think has also lost a lot. I’m sure I won’t play in Europe again. I want to play in Saudi Arabia.’
Long-time rival Lionel Messi has also left European football for what looks as if it may be the final time to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. Ronaldo believes he is playing at a better level than Messi though.
‘In one year, more and more top players will come to Saudi,’ the Portuguese superstar continued. ‘In a year the Saudi league will overtake the Turkish league and Dutch league.
‘I think Saudi league is better than MLS.”
‘Where Cristiano goes, it generates greater interest and I knew it was going to be like that. I’m sure that next season more stars will go there [to Saudi Arabia].’
No doubt Spanish sides, and now Serie A fans will point to recent European records as a manner of disputing Ronaldo’s claims about the European game.
‘I’m 100 percent sure I won’t return to any European club. I opened the way to Saudi league…and now all the players are coming here.’
‘When I joined Juventus, Serie A was dead and then after I signed… it was revived.’
Ronaldo’s confirmation that he won’t return to European football draws a line under one of the greatest careers of all-time, and at one time an unstoppable force.
