22 January 2024 , 02:00
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Cristiano Ronaldo has disputed claims that he was “lost” after leaving Manchester United - and his explosive exit actually gave him fresh motivation.
The Portuguese forward left Old Trafford in December 2022 after a particularly outspoken interview with Piers Morgan. He was publicly critical of the way the club operated.
That led to Ronaldo’s contract being cancelled, which facilitated a record-breaking switch to Saudi side Al-Nassr. Some suspected that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner would then fade into obscurity.
However, the 38-year-old has now claimed that the switch gave him fresh impetus. Speaking to Portuguese outlet Record after being named the top scorer in the world at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo said: "I'm not surprised by my level as I know that I still have a lot of possibilities to offer.
“I know that I can provide a lot of goals for Al Nassr and the national team, so it was incredible on a personal level to score 54 goals. If you go back and see what happened at Manchester United and the national team, people actually considered me lost, but the truth is that I focused and had a great period of preparation for the new season with Al Nassr, me and the technical staff led by Castro.
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"I think they were important in motivating me to have a great season, and it's clear that I was surprised in that aspect, but it didn't surprise me in winning. I know that I still have a lot of possibilities to offer, and I know that I can provide a lot of goals for Al Nassr and the national team, so it was incredible on a personal level.
"As you said, well, the 54 goals I scored, there may be those who say it's easier because I'm in Saudi Arabia. But football professionals know that it is difficult to score goals, whether in Saudi Arabia or in Italy, Spain or Portugal. A goal is a goal. In a way, I feel even more proud to have beaten Haaland, Mbappé and Kane."
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Since moving to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has put together a stunning record for Al-Nassr. He has scored 38 goals in 44 games in all competitions.
His next competitive appearance is set to come in mid-February as Al-Nassr take on Al-Feiha in the AFC Champions League. Before then, they have a number of friendly fixtures to negotiate against Shanghai Shenhua, Zhejiang, Al-Hilal and Lionel Messi ’s Inter Miami.