Man Utd legend backs Ronaldo after criticism over move to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a force in the football transfer market this year, offering eye-watering salaries that have lured a host of big names to the oil-rich Gulf kingdom.

Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in January to play for Riyadh-based Al-Nassr is what first drew global attention to ongoing efforts to boost the Saudi Pro League. He was followed by his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner who signed a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad in June.

The Portuguese star was criticised for his decision but Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand defended the striker and compared his situation to players who choose to end their careers in Major League Soccer.

"It angers me you see some of the comments about footballers decisions, you can't say it's a rule for one of them here and one of them over there," he began. 

"When Cristiano went there was negativity, I’ve not heard one negative comment about David Beckham to America or Messi to America, but you get very much negative media when its Saudi Arabia," he told 'TNT Sports'.

"There are problems all over the world and to say wholeheartedly this is the wrong thing to do and to hold the players as the benchmark is unfair."

 

August 12, 2023