Cristiano Ronaldo believes his goal-scoring prowess would remain unchanged if he played in the Premier League instead of the Saudi Pro League. Since joining Al-Nassr in January 2023, Ronaldo has netted
82 goals in 84 matches, surpassing Abderrazzaq Hamed-Allah's 54 goals during the same period. Despite turning 40 in February, Ronaldo remains confident in his ability to perform at a high level.
In his last full season with Manchester United during the 2021-22 campaign, Ronaldo scored 24 goals. This was his lowest tally since the 2006-07 season when he scored 23 goals. His move to Saudi Arabia has attracted other prominent players to the region, challenging claims that the league cannot compete with European football.
Ronaldo expressed confidence in an interview with Piers Morgan, stating he would still score prolifically if playing for a top Premier League team. "Year by year, I score more," Ronaldo said. "Even in a bad year [in 2024-25], I scored 25 goals. If I played in the Premier League, now in a top team, I would score the same! If I had a good team, at 40 years old, I would score the same. "
The Saudi Pro League is ranked as the world's 29th strongest division according to Opta's power rankings. However, Ronaldo argues it is stronger than Portugal's Primeira Liga, which holds ninth place globally and can rival France's Ligue 1, ranked fifth.
Ronaldo addressed critics of the Pro League by highlighting their lack of experience with its conditions. "I don't need to speak because they can say whatever they want, but the numbers, they don't lie," he stated. He emphasized that many critics have never played or experienced running in extreme temperatures like those found in Saudi Arabia.
He further commented on European leagues: "The French league is only PSG. The Premier League is good; of course, it is number one. " Reflecting on his career across various countries, Ronaldo noted that scoring was easier for him in Spain compared to Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo continues to assert that the Saudi League surpasses Portugal's league quality-wise and stands strong against other European competitions. His presence has not only boosted interest but also brought attention to football's growth in the Gulf region.
