When it was announced in December 2022 that Cristiano Ronaldo would join the Saudi Pro League side, Al Nassr, the next month, she sent waves of shock through the football community.

Not only for the decision perceived to move on, with respect, a second -degree championship, but for the £ 177m salary a year that placed it firmly at the top of the highest players in the world.

Ronaldo had his reasons to transfer to Saudi Arabia

“In Europe, my work has been done; I won everything. I played in the most important clubs in Europe and to me now, it’s a new challenge,” The Portuguese football legend said at the time.

“This is a great opportunity. No one knows this, but I have had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs in Brazil, Australia, SH.BA and even Portugal.

“Many clubs tried to sign me, but I gave my word to this club to develop not only football, but other parts of this amazing place.”

If those who heard are provided by the narrative is a bad point.

About two and a half years after pronouncing those words, football in Saudi Arabia has probably seen an increase in the player type moving in that part of the Middle East, and this must come down to Ronaldo’s influence.

Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez, Yannick Carrasco, Fabin, Jhon Duran, Categorically reported, Roberto firmino AND My wife There are only a small part of the other big names that now make their trade in a championship which, while improving the recruitment and level of professionalism, is still a way out of being able to compare to some of the best in the world.

How have things worked on Cristiano?

To this end, Cristiano can certainly be said to have been something of a pilgrimage, but how they planned things for the player and, in general, for his club, Al nassrSince his arrival?

From a personal point of view, 72 goals (and 16 assists) in 74 matches is a tremendous return. Even if the quality of the opponent is negligible compared to those whom the Portuguese captain has played against his stellar career, Ronaldo’s age should be factor.

Ask yourself … How many 40-year-old players do you know they are still scoring a goal a game?!

Its current accuracy of 62.9% – 61 out of its 97 total shocks so far this season has been targeted – is a broad improvement from when it first joined Al Nassr, and a 75.5% switch end is also better than its first and half season in the club.

Defense was never his strong point, so 16 obstacles tried and only six won in two half seasons is not really a surprise, nor should it be used against Ronaldo to reduce it.

Perhaps the only real issue for the player and Al Nassr is that they have not continued to win the Saudi Pros League since Ronaldo’s arrival, and this must have been in thinking of all when distributing that impressive contract.

There is still no Saudi Pro League title for Ronaldo

Al Hilal They have been the most successful team in the region for years, and they are the ones who Ronaldo et al need to overthrow their voices.

Status quo had remained the same as pre-Christiano until recently but is Benzema Al ittihad that are now in the seat of the title box.

At the time of writing, Al Ittihad leads SPL to 68 points with five games of the season left to play. The first of them is Wednesday evening against Al Nassr Ronaldo, who himself has an external chance of title if they win, as he would bring them within five points of four -match leaders to go.

Former Real Madrid Benzema hit partner may have something to say about this, as he has also led his team in attack with 18 goals and nine 26 -match assists this season.

Al Hilal’s match against Al Raed’s resting table should see them close the gap in Al Ittihad if the latter could not overcome Al Nassr, and this would put things nice for the last campaign games.

After all, Ronaldo’s time at the club is likely to be judged for trophies, and no SPL title since 2018/19, far before the Portuguese movement, is not so good.

Sustainable inheritance means more than individual greatness and a small portion of positive results

Two second place ends in the last two seasons have seen Al Nassr go close, and the Portuguese have also broken the record for most goals in a SPL campaign.

History books, however, will show them as runners, despite further significant financial spending on players such as Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Laporte amyric, Otavio, Alex such AND Seco hepher.

Al Nassr was unable to triumph in the AFC 2023/24 Champions League, losing to Al Ain in the quarter -finals. They did it only in terms of the Saudi Super Cup semifinals in the same season and also lost the King’s Cup in the penalty.

Ronaldo’s two goals against Al Hilal in the Arab 2023 Champions Cup final at least saw them win that title, with the 40-year-old also luggage golden boot on the tour, though surely this is just a success module that is not really acceptable at this stage.

When you talk seriously about leaving a stable legacy, just giving a small portion of the good results to make everyone sit down and get the notice do not really cut it.

Despite Cristiano’s place in the history of the game thanks to his exploits, and Man United and Real Madrid in particular, will he really want to be remembered in Saudi Arabia as the player who began the golden rush and continued to exalt his personal brand but was unable to change the status quo and in both the club?