The transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia, according to Russian player Magomed Ozdoyev, did not improve the country’s football. Ozdoyev is a member of the Turkish team Fatih Karagumruk, which is presently ranked ninth in the Super Lig standings. The foreign player from Russia joined the team last summer from Zenit St. Petersburg. In 31 appearances across all competitions, he helped Fatih Karagumruk by scoring five goals and dishing out four assists.
Before relocating to Turkey, Ozdoyev received offers from Saudi Arabia as well, according to Sporx. But he has declined to play there. He said “There is not enough professionalism, I will not play there. Ronaldo transferred, and now it is spoken that [Lionel] Messi will sign, but after a few years I can go there”, an article on Sportskeeda reported.
Meanwhile, it’s anticipated that Lionel Messi will depart Paris Saint-Germain this summer on a free transfer. According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Al-Hilal has given the Argentine a substantial offer of €400 million per year in anticipation of a future transfer to Saudi Arabia.
Iconic Player’s Controversial Opinion: Ronaldo Misses Out on Top Attacker List
Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario were cited by AC Milan and Italy veteran Paolo Maldini as the two most challenging strikers he faced. Cristiano Ronaldo was highlighted by the former defender, although he thought the two players above were more difficult to deal with.
Maldini said “He and Ronaldo, the Brazilian, are the strongest. I didn’t play against Messi, thank God. CR7 is a great striker, but he has less magic than the other two”, an article on Sportskeeda reported.
Maldini played 14 times against Maradona during his career for club and country, winning five and losing five. He had an even record against Ronaldo Nazario, having faced the Brazilian in nine games and have won, lost, and drawn three times each.
In contrast, the Italian superstar only faced Cristiano Ronaldo three times, winning two and losing one.
Saudi Football Association President Wants Ronaldo
One thing is very good with Cristiano Ronaldo and it is the fact that his name keeps trending on social media and in sports news sections online or in print.
While most of the news about Ronaldo is fake, he said it himself, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser Al-Misehal is bent on having the soccer star in Arabia.
The Manchester United legend seems to be so popular with the SAAF that its chief says it is not surprising that one day Ronaldo will be fielded in a club in Saudi Arabia for example.
According to multiple rumours, Ronaldo wanted to leave Manchester United in the summer break but no clubs were interested or could afford to hire his services.
The story goes that with the transfer window narrowing in August, Ronaldo was offered a chance to play in the Saudi league. He however, according to legends in the media, turned down the offer of millions of US dollars to stick to his team at Manchester.
An unnamed club in the Saudi league, it is said, offered him £2 million per week, while another offered him £211 million per year.
However, in a recent interview with The Athletic, Al-Misehal did not rule out the possibility of Ronaldo playing in the Saudi league one day.
“We would love to see a player like Cristiano Ronaldo playing in the Saudi league, it would bring a huge positive feedback and it would be big news for everyone.
“I think, ‘Why not?’, I’m sure it would be a very expensive deal, of course, but we can see our clubs getting higher revenues in the past couple of years.
“I like Cristiano Ronaldo as a player and I would like to see him play in Saudi Arabia,” Al-Misehal said.
Well, there is a transfer window that opens in January next year and if Ronaldo is not happy at Man Utd, he could still make a move.
But there are other rumours Ronaldo wants to play in the Champions League, instead of the Saudi Arabian league.
Paolo Maldini disses Cristiano Ronaldo, saying that he “has less magic” than Maradona and Nazario
AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, one of the greatest defenders in football history, expressed his opinion that Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario possessed more magic than Cristiano Ronaldo. Maldini, who played against all three players during his illustrious career, acknowledged the undeniable talents of Ronaldo but highlighted the extraordinary flair and mesmerizing abilities of Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario.
While Ronaldo has achieved remarkable success and showcased his exceptional skills on the pitch, Maldini believes that Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario possessed a certain level of magic that set them apart. It is a subjective assessment based on Maldini’s personal experience and admiration for the incredible talents of these football legends.
Maldini’s Revelation: Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario Trump Cristiano Ronaldo in Magic
He competed against Maradona early in his career, Ronaldo Nazario throughout his peak, and Cristiano Ronaldo near the end. The Italian stated while describing the top attackers he has encountered
“He and Ronaldo, the Brazilian, are the strongest. I didn’t play against Messi, thank God. CR7 is a great striker, but he has less magic than the other two.”
“I was fast and physically strong, but they were even faster. Diego was also very nice: when they nominated him in the Hall of Fame, I was ashamed for having given him so many blows, and I apologized”, Tutto Juve said in an article from Sportskeeda.
Alessandro Nesta’s Surprise: Ronaldo Nazario Chosen Over Messi and Ronaldo
Alessandro Nesta, a former teammate of Paolo Maldini, is one of the elite central defenders. He is regarded as one of the sport’s all-time best defenders.
Playing for teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Inter Milan during his illustrious career. Additionally, he has won the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Cup.
Although he accomplished a lot, one could say that because of his fitness concerns, fans were denied the opportunity to watch the Brazilian for a longer period of time despite his career being plagued by ailments.
With the recent arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, local rivals Al Hilal are reportedly eyeing a move for Lionel Messi. According to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, Al Hilal are prepared to offer the Argentina legend a salary of no less than $300 million per year.
The Saudi government is believed to be assisting Al Hilal financially in order for them to have the best chance of signing him. They believe that having two of the world’s best football players will help improve the Saudi football leagues.
Messi’s relationship with Saudi Arabia
The fact that Messi already has a relationship with Saudi Arabia, serving as the country’s tourism ambassador, could help Al Hilal’s bid to lure the superstar to the Middle East.
It is believed that the Saudi State will financially support Al Hilal in their efforts to sign him, with the goal of improving the Saudi football league by having two of the biggest football stars. Will Messi make the move to the Middle East and continue his rivalry with Ronaldo? Only time will tell.
In this file photo taken on September 27, 2022 Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during the international friendly football match between Argentina and Jamaica at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Andres Kudacki / AFP)
One of his key qualities is his incredible work ethic. Despite being one of the best players in the world, Messi is always looking for ways to improve his game and perfect his craft. He has a tireless drive to win and is known for his intense focus and determination on the field.
Another quality that sets Messi apart is his exceptional technical ability. He is considered one of the most skillful players in the game, with the ability to take on multiple defenders with ease and score spectacular goals. His dribbling and ball control are particularly exceptional, making him a constant threat to any defense.
Finally, Messi is known for his humility and sportsmanship. He is a true professional who always conducts himself with class and respect, both on and off the field.
His talent and superstar status will add to the competitive nature of the league in which Ronaldo will soon start playing.
It was an epic showdown in Saudi Arabia where hot shot Cristiano Ronaldo clashed with World Cup winner Lionel Messi that turned out to be a massive 9-goal thriller.
In 2022, it seemed that Ronaldo’s career was on a downturn, particularly after being frequently benched by coach Erik ten Hag. However, after leaving the United, Ronaldo found a new home at Al-Nassr, where he is treated like a true star. And he showed why the Saudi club put their trust in him.
Image Credit: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram page
The special treatment has seemingly reinvigorated Ronaldo, and he has rediscovered the form that made him one of the best players in the world. This was evident in the exhibition match against long-time rival Messi, where both players scored.
Despite the efforts of Ronaldo and Messi, the 10-man Paris Saint-Germain team emerged victorious with a final score of 5-4, thanks to a late goal by Hugo Ekitike.
Football fans across the world received a lot of bang for their buck as a tale that has dominated the sport for more than ten years appeared to come to a close in a memorable goalfest, even though the match may not have much lasting relevance for the clubs involved.
Ronaldo and Messi’s alleged rivalry
The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the greatest soccer players of all time, with a combined total of 12 Ballon d’Or wins, has dominated the sport for over a decade and a half. Fans of the sport often find themselves fiercely supporting one or the other.
Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates after defeating Croatia 3-0 in the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
Their rivalry reached its peak during the nine years they competed against each other in Spain, while Ronaldo was playing for Real Madrid and Messi for Barcelona.
Their latest encounter at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh was nothing short of thrilling. Ronaldo scored twice, offsetting goals from Messi and Marquinhos in an exciting first half. The match was further intensified by the sending off of PSG’s Juan Bernat for a lunging tackle on Saudi international Salem Al-Dawsari.
Both of their fan clubs are insane, especially on Twitter. The fights that they would have about their idols regarding the majority of the Premier League news is shocking. There were times where a transfer deal was going on with a club unrelated to the players, and either a Ronaldo or Messi fan would criticise one or the other.
The picture posted on B/R Football’s Twitter page seems neutral. It shows Ronaldo and Messi shaking hands after a good day’s game over the years and the multiple teams that they were in during the time. It shows that the fans and the media are the ones pitting them against each other.
There was never a comparison, it was only stirred up by corrupt journalists and Bots on SM, Ronaldo was mostly nothing but a tap in merchant, not even close to roben or henry per example, not even top 20 of all time, let alone comparable to #Messi🐐
As fans of the sport, it’s important to recognize that the time for these legends to shine on the field is coming to a close. Instead of continually arguing over who is better, it’s crucial that we take the time to cherish and appreciate the remaining years these players have left.
Many fans have already begun to commemorate this special moment in time, with some creating movie posters to capture the essence of this rivalry. It’s likely that in the future, movies will be made about the lives and legacies of both Ronaldo and Messi, as well as one that specifically highlights their intense rivalry. It’s a moment in history that should be savoured and remembered for years to come.
To no surprise, even positive tweets like this will still attract fans that are vehemently against the other player. One fan managed to even call Messi “Pessi.” Messi fans then posted photos of statistically how he is better than Ronaldo.
Regardless of this, it is understandable that there will be people liking one player more than the other. It is quite normal for everyone who is in the spotlight, regardless of their career. It is especially towards celebrities, to which the both of them are.
However, it’s important to remember that these players are more than just athletes, they are human beings who deserve respect. Using inappropriate language or attacking other fans for supporting them is not acceptable behaviour.
Both Ronaldo and Messi have made an indelible impact on the sport of football and their contributions cannot be replicated. Like Pele and Diego Maradona, they are irreplaceable legends in the history of the sport. It’s important that we recognize and appreciate their achievements rather than resorting to name-calling and divisive behaviour.
Manchester United defeated the Wolves last Saturday and their manager, and Erik ten Hag refused to comment on Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia, but really who cares what he has to say? It appears that their feud is still ongoing which is no surprise.
On Friday, Ronaldo completed his transfer to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr and signed a contract with the team through 2025. His enormous contract, which is reportedly worth £173 million a year, comes one month after his United contract was mutually ended as a result of a controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
With Marcus Rashford scoring for the third game in a row since the World Cup to defeat Wolves 1-0, United has not yet missed the Portuguese superstar. Ten Hag punished Rashford for some late arrivals but had to bow down and field the scorer to win the match.
After Ronaldo claimed he felt “betrayed” by the club, Ten Hag was eager to get rid of the player, and he is now eager to put the incident behind him.
Ten Hag stated, “I don’t talk about the past, let’s talk about the future.”
He then added, “First time we are in the top four, but it means nothing because it is a long way to go. We have to live from game to game, get in the position to win something.”
With regards to Manchester United’s current win, we will have to wait and see how they will compete against the ever growing Reds in the Premier League. Furthermore, with the transfer period just beginning in January, it will give a chance to all the Premier League teams to beef up their player rotation.
Fan reaction to Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr move
Cristiano Ronaldo's reported contract at Al-Nassr will see him earn $548k a day 😳💰 pic.twitter.com/AFBVFP7Uel
Netizens are rumourmongering that Ronaldo will be paid $500,000 a day with Al-Nassr. It is a pretty penny for a days work. The cost breakdown shows that he will earn $6.00 per second. It seems to be that Ronaldo has woken up in a better place after leaving his old club.
Fans that disagree with his move to Al-Nassr posted screenshots of him making statements that he would rather retire in “dignity” instead of playing with USA, and Arab clubs. The statement appears to be true, as the Guardian published a whole article about it in 2015.
Those that are unhappy with him earning that amount of money stated that he doesn’t need more. These people then claimed that the Middle Easterners are “human rights abusers” and that he should not be playing for a club like that.
More comparisons were made between Ronaldo and Messi. Messi fans stated that Ronaldo has lost the battle ground to be our generation’s greatest of all time. Comments that describe their surprise that Ronaldo is joining an Arab team are also quite apparent.
Positive remarks about him taking over the Middle East are also quite a popular opinion. He is still an amazing player regardless of all the unfortunate incidents that laid upon him in 2022. Statements of him ending his European career for joining Al-Nassr were made.
