“Cristiano Ronaldo does not raise the level of football in Saudi Arabia” Russian midfielder UNIMPRESSED by Saudi Pro League

May 23, 2023

Russian midfielder Magomed Ozdoyev has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo joining Al Nassr has not made the Saudi Pro League more competitive.

Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr last year after his contract at Manchester United was mutually terminated following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan.

His move to Saudi Arabia brought more exposure to the league as more TV stations and nations scrambled to show football from the Gulf nation.

However, Ozdoyev, who plays for Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk claims that the league’s newfound popularity does not equal greater competition.

The Russian international joined Fatih Karagumruk from Zenit St. Petersburg last summer. He has scored five goals and assisted his teammates four times in 31 games for his club across competitions. The Turkish club are currently ninth in the Turkish league table.

Speaking to Sporx via Sportskeeda,  Ozdoyev revealed that he had offers from Saudi Arabian before he moved to Turkey, but he rejected a chance to play in the country due to a lack of professionalism. 

“There is not enough professionalism. I will not play there,” the Russian is quoted as saying.

“Ronaldo transferred. Now it is spoken that [Lionel] Messi will sign, but after a few years, I can go there.”

Ozdoyev also claimed that contrary to many such claims, Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr hasn’t improved the quality of football in Saudi Arabia. 

He said: “Cristiano does not raise the level of football in Saudi Arabia. It moves its own image. But movement does not increase the ceiling of understanding and the quality of football.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 13 goals and assisted two in 17 games across competitions for Al-Nasr since making his debut in January.

 

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