Cristiano Ronaldo Declares ‘I Consider Myself a Saudi Now’ as His Gulf Gamble Settles In
Football icon says critics of his Saudi move were wrong and pledges long-term integration into Kingdom’s sports and tourism vision
Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly affirmed that his decision to join Al‑Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia — once widely labelled “crazy” — has proven prescient as he declares: “I consider myself a Saudi now.” During a speech in Riyadh, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner lauded the Kingdom’s safety, booming tourism projects such as AlUla and the Red Sea development, and pledged his desire to play a role in Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034.
When he swapped Europe’s elite leagues for the Saudi Pro League in late 2022, reaction was mixed.
Many observers viewed the move as a retirement shuffle rather than a serious sporting selection.
Ronaldo turned that narrative on its head, asserting: “They said I was crazy to move to Saudi Arabia.
Now everyone knows I was right.
I think I’m a good crazy.”
Beyond sporting ambition, he positioned himself as an ambassador of the country’s broader transformation under its Vision 2030 framework.
“Saudi Arabia is a wonderful country,” he told the audience.
“For me and my family this is home.
We want to stay and build our lives here.” He added that the league’s competitiveness surprised many and he wished to stick around beyond the two-year extension with Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo’s comments come on the heels of his contract renewal until 2027, during which he will remain at Al-Nassr until the age of 42. He hailed the Saudi Pro League as already among the top leagues globally and said his contribution to the country is “not just in football, but in everything.” He also noted that his ambitions extend to helping Saudi Arabia realise its goal of hosting the World Cup for the first time in 2034, calling the tournament “the best in history” with the Kingdom as host.
By aligning himself so closely with Saudi Arabia’s sporting and cultural ambitions, Ronaldo has shifted perceptions of major-league exits as decline moves and instead reframed his choice as a legacy venture.
His integration into life in Riyadh, high-profile visibility and commitment to long-term participation suggest that his “crazy” gamble has already become a blueprint for how elite talent can shape a new centre of global sport.
When he swapped Europe’s elite leagues for the Saudi Pro League in late 2022, reaction was mixed.
Many observers viewed the move as a retirement shuffle rather than a serious sporting selection.
Ronaldo turned that narrative on its head, asserting: “They said I was crazy to move to Saudi Arabia.
Now everyone knows I was right.
I think I’m a good crazy.”
Beyond sporting ambition, he positioned himself as an ambassador of the country’s broader transformation under its Vision 2030 framework.
“Saudi Arabia is a wonderful country,” he told the audience.
“For me and my family this is home.
We want to stay and build our lives here.” He added that the league’s competitiveness surprised many and he wished to stick around beyond the two-year extension with Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo’s comments come on the heels of his contract renewal until 2027, during which he will remain at Al-Nassr until the age of 42. He hailed the Saudi Pro League as already among the top leagues globally and said his contribution to the country is “not just in football, but in everything.” He also noted that his ambitions extend to helping Saudi Arabia realise its goal of hosting the World Cup for the first time in 2034, calling the tournament “the best in history” with the Kingdom as host.
By aligning himself so closely with Saudi Arabia’s sporting and cultural ambitions, Ronaldo has shifted perceptions of major-league exits as decline moves and instead reframed his choice as a legacy venture.
His integration into life in Riyadh, high-profile visibility and commitment to long-term participation suggest that his “crazy” gamble has already become a blueprint for how elite talent can shape a new centre of global sport.
