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December 19, 2024
It's become quite common these days to say that Ronaldo went to Saudi Arabia just to boost his goal numbers. Critics think that because the Saudi Pro League hasn't got the same global reputation as the European leagues; it's a place where ageing stars can turn up, knock in a load of easy goals, and finish their careers looking like superheroes...
The idea that that Ronaldo is doing nothing more than "stat-padding" in Saudi Arabia is throw around whenever a big player goes to a league outside Europe's top few. But is that really the full story? Or are we taking lazy shortcuts to avoid recognising a serious change in the football landscape? The truth is that the Saudi Pro League is improving. It's not some sleepy backwater where defenders stumble about cluelessly. It's a league on the rise, attracting bigger names, better coaches, and more investment than ever. If we look at what's actually happening, it's not just Ronaldo scoring goals; other internationally known players are heading to Saudi Arabia too, and they're finding it no holiday camp. Goals still need to be earned, and standards are rising. But let's break things down a bit more and see why claiming Ronaldo is just padding his stats isn't a fair accusation.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 12 iconic moments:
Ronaldo's decision to join Al-Nassr wasn't just about chasing numbers. He didn't arrive with a magic wand that guarantees goals against hapless defences. Yes, he's had a brilliant scoring record in Saudi Arabia so far, breaking records and making headlines. But that's because he's still a world-class forward who knows how to find space, create chances, and finish them off. He's bringing the same hunger he had in Europe. Just because he's getting older doesn't mean he's lost his touch.
It's also worth remembering that top players don't function in a vacuum. They need service, structure, and a decent team around them. Al-Nassr has invested in improving their squad, training facilities, and approach. The Saudi Pro League itself is gradually lifting its overall standard. More competitive matches mean Ronaldo's goals are not coming from nowhere; they're scored in a league that wants to prove it can stand toe-to-toe with bigger names overseas.
For a long time, European football has been seen as the be-all and end-all of the sport. Players outside Europe don't get the same respect, and leagues in Asia, Africa, or North America are often looked down on. But consider this: money, infrastructure, and talent are moving around more freely than ever. In Saudi Arabia, the authorities have made no secret that they want the league to grow. More investment is flowing into youth development, coaching, and scouting. Well-known managers and experienced professionals are lending their expertise, which helps raise standards across the board.
It's a slow process, but every year the gap narrows. Matches in the Saudi Pro League are not as easy as many European fans like to imagine. Clubs are competitive, teams are tactically organised, and defenders aren'’t simply waiting to be walked over. When Ronaldo scores, it's because he's still good enough to outperform defenders who know exactly who he is and have prepared to stop him. If he were stat-padding in a truly weak environment, we'd see constant hat-tricks with no effort. Instead, we see a player who works hard, adapts to new conditions, and delivers.
Something else worth noting is the hypocrisy that surrounds Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia. Lionel Messi, Ronaldo's long-time rival, is now playing in Major League Soccer for Inter Miami. Nobody seems to be shouting that Messi's just padding his stats or racking up easy goals in a weaker league. Instead, many celebrate Messi's choice, seeing it as bringing star quality and excitement to the United States. He’s praised for showing off his skills in a league that, until recently, was also viewed as less competitive than Europe's top flights.
But if we’re honest, MLS and the Saudi Pro League have more in common than many people think. Both are growing leagues, both are attracting more and more talented players, and both have historically been seen as less prestigious than Europe's big leagues. Why do some give Messi a free pass but try to paint Ronaldo as chasing easy glory?
It might be down to personal bias or just old narratives that people cling to. Ronaldo's always been seen as someone who chases records, while Messi's often painted as the pure, naturally gifted genius. But when you look at it closely, both men made choices that fit their circumstances. Both are playing in leagues that want to raise their standards. Both are still showing quality on the pitch. If Messi isn’t stat-padding, why should we say Ronaldo is?
Another key point is that Ronaldo's influence goes way beyond the pitch. He's not just a top athlete; he's a global figure who continues to draw massive attention wherever he goes. Far from fading quietly into the background, he's still front and centre in the eyes of millions. Take the Striker Goes Wild online casino game as an example. They've used his likeness, showing that the Ronaldo brand is still a huge draw, and people around the world still want to associate themselves with him. If Double Bubble Bingo can use a game with Ronaldo's likeness to attract players to its other casino games, it's because Ronaldo still sells.
If he were merely padding his stats in an irrelevant league, would major brands and online casinos still be clamouring to feature him? Probably not. The interest in Ronaldo shows no sign of fading, and that in itself says something about his move to Saudi Arabia. It's not about tricking the public into thinking he's still got it. He has got it, and people know it.
So, why do we insist on looking down on Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia? Perhaps it's more comfortable for some to assume he's just padding his numbers than to admit times are changing. Football is no longer just the playground of a handful of elite European leagues. Talent, money, and ambition are spreading across the globe, and Saudi Arabia is one of the places stepping into the spotlight.
If Messi gets a free pass in MLS, Ronaldo deserves the same respect in the Saudi Pro League. It's time we stopped clinging to old prejudices and started embracing the bigger picture. The football world is changing, and Ronaldo's success in Saudi Arabia is just one example of what the future might hold.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on January 9, against Al Akhdoud for the Saudi Pro League. You can watch Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud, Inter vs Udinese, Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, Tottenham vs Man United, Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers and Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig, all matches provided from our soccer streaming game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud kick-off time (09-01-2025):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 00:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 21:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 19:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 18:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 17:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 14:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 13:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 10:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / aljazeera.com / espn.co.uk
