Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia has made headlines both on and off the field. While he has garnered millions of likes on Instagram and surpassed Lionel Messi as the highest-earning athlete, his club, Al-Nassr, fell short of winning the Saudi Pro League title.
Despite being at the top of the table when Ronaldo joined in January, Al-Nassr was overtaken by Al-Ittihad, who clinched their first title in 14 years. A 1-1 draw against Al-Ettifaq in their recent match sealed Al-Nassr's second-place finish, leaving them five points behind the champions.
Questions have arisen regarding what went wrong for the favored Al-Nassr.
Did they squander their chances, and was Ronaldo's signing a contributing factor to their underwhelming performance in the second half of the season? Ronaldo himself acknowledged a "bad career run" during his second stint at Manchester United, which ended acrimoniously. However, he believes it was part of his growth and has made him a better person.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo's behavior on the field has been a topic of discussion. He has displayed aggression, petulance, and controversial gestures during matches, earning criticism and calls for his expulsion from the league. However, he managed to escape sanctions, partly due to limited official match footage reviewed by the Saudi Football Association's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee.
Ronaldo's personal life has also faced increased scrutiny since his move to Saudi Arabia.
Reports surfaced about issues in his relationship with Georgina Rodriguez, but she refuted them on Instagram, dismissing them as baseless rumors. However, the couple has faced challenges due to Saudi Arabia's laws on unmarried couples cohabiting and restrictions on clothing and social media posts.
Brazilian legend Rivaldo questioned Ronaldo's decision to join Al-Nassr, suggesting that players can be deceived by lucrative contracts but may find life and football not as easy as expected.
Reports indicate that Ronaldo is not satisfied with the infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, considering it far from modern society. Nevertheless, there have been moments of joy for Ronaldo, his family, and glimpses of his footballing prowess.
However, criticisms have emerged about Ronaldo's adaptability and acceptance of his role as an aging superstar. Some argue that he struggles to accept a reduced playing time and should focus on supporting younger players. Despite his incredible career achievements, Ronaldo's performance and mindset have come under scrutiny.
Overall, Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia has been a mixed bag, with both successes and challenges on and off the field. It remains to be seen how his journey with Al-Nassr will unfold and whether he can overcome the obstacles to continue making an impact.
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