Ronaldo stays committed to Saudi Arabian journey despite trophy wait

While numerous fans and analysts have readily labeled Cristiano Ronaldo's high-profile move to the Saudi Pro League as a footballing failure, especially as the 39-year-old Portuguese icon continues to await his first domestic trophy in the Kingdom, Ronaldo himself remains steadfast in his perspective.

Ronaldo insists that he and his family are content in a "beautiful country" and harbors dreams of achieving Asian Champions League glory with Al Nassr.

"We've settled everything in Saudi Arabia. Nice. Life is good. Football is good in terms of individual and collective," said Ronaldo. "We still there, we're still improving. It's hard to compete with Al Hilal, Al-Ittihad, but we are there. We still pushing, we're fighting. Football is like that. We have sometimes good moments, bad moments. But for me, the most important thing, it's you have to be professional, pushing hard. Respect the club, respect your contracts, and believe that things will change."

Although Ronaldo has yet to secure a domestic trophy with Al Nassr, he did make his mark last season by claiming the Golden Boot, scoring an impressive 35 goals in 31 matches. And he has set his sights on the Asian Champions League.

"I mean, I almost had to try to win more titles. Champions League is something that I will dream to win for the club and also the league," he continued. "The people look at the same example, not inside the pitch, but also outside the pitch."

The Portuguese international joined Al Nassr in December 2022, setting a precedent for many football stars considering a move to the Saudi Pro League. "For me, it's an honor that the league grows, and many star players coming to play to make the league even better, more competitive, and to be the first one," Ronaldo added.

"Let's say, start coming here. For me, it's an honor. But what I want, and what I'm looking forward to, it's the next five, ten years. The league still improving, not only the first teams, but the academies, not also for the future of the Saudis and the Saudi league, but for the country, and to compete with other leagues. This is my dream, and this is what I will try to help the country and league to be, there in that level."