By Reinaldo Oliveros
Cristiano Ronaldo broke his silence on the constant criticism surrounding the Saudi Professional League and defended both the championship and Al Nassr FC after accusations of alleged referee favoritism towards his team.
After Al Nassr’s 2-0 victory over Al Ahli Saudi FC, several Al Ahli players publicly expressed their annoyance, suggesting that Ronaldo’s team would have benefited from refereeing decisions.
Faced with these statements, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was forceful and showed his annoyance at the atmosphere that has been generated around the tournament.
“I think this is not good for the league. Everyone complains. This is football, not a war. We know we have to fightWe all want to win. But not everything is allowed,” said Ronaldo.
The Portuguese star also assured that he will give a broader explanation once the season ends, since he considers that the image of the Saudi championship is being damaged by the constant controversies and public criticism between clubs and players.
“I’m going to speak at the end of the season because I’ve seen a lot of bad things. Many players have complained, posting on Instagram and Facebook, talking about the referees, the league and the project. This is not right. This is not the goal of the league,” he said.
Al Nassr seeks title amid criticism in Saudi Professional League
Ronaldo also made it clear that the Saudi Professional League’s intention is to compete internationally and get closer to the major European leagues, something that, according to him, will not be possible if public disputes and constant questioning continue.
“We must set an example, not only here but also in Europe, showing that we want to compete with them to be one of the best leagues in the world. But like this, I think we should analyze it and put aside the criticism, because for me this is not football,” he added.
The attacker’s statements come in the middle of a season full of sporting and non-sporting tension.
“It has been a difficult season, not only on the field, but also off it. We know the power that other teams have, but I will have the opportunity to speak at the end of the season,” commented the Portuguese.
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