The Portuguese talisman mutually terminated his contract with Manchester United in November and joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr a month later after a disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign with Portugal. After struggling in his first couple of matches, Ronaldo has found his feet in the Middle East, scoring nine goals in eight league appearances, including a stunning freekick from 30 yards in a 2-1 win over Abha. The 38-year-old has now made a lofty claim that the Saudi Pro League will be counted as one of the elite competitions in the future and has urged critics to look at it "differently".

"I feel really good. That's why I'm here. If I didn't think so, I wouldn't be. I'm in a very competitive league. They should look at the Saudi championship differently," Ronaldo told reporters.

"Obviously, it's not like the Premier League, I'd be lying if I said it was, but it's competitive. I'm surprised by the strength. It has good teams, it is balanced, the Arab players are good, the foreigners give quality. Possibly it will be, in five to six years' time, if they continue this plan, the fourth or fifth most competitive league in the world."