Cristiano Ronaldo has never been one to mince words, and after Al-Nassr's crucial 2-0 victory over Al-Ahli—a win that pulls them closer to the Saudi Pro League title—the Portuguese superstar let his frustrations boil over. But this time, his criticism wasn't directed at opponents or referees on the pitch. Instead, he took aim at what he sees as a growing culture of negativity surrounding the league itself.
"This is not a war," Ronaldo declared in his post-match comments, visibly passionate about the state of the game in Saudi Arabia. The 39-year-old forward was particularly irked by the constant stream of complaints flooding social media, with players and fans alike taking to Instagram and Facebook to air grievances about officiating and league standards. "After the end of the season, I will speak publicly about the negative things happening in the league. I see many worrying situations. Many players complain and post on their accounts, criticising refereeing, the league and the project," he added.
For Ronaldo, who has built a legendary career across Europe's biggest stages—from Manchester United to Real Madrid and Juventus—this behavior is simply not up to the standard required to elevate the Saudi league to global prominence. "We fight to win, but some things are not good and this is not football. We need to stop certain attitudes if we want to compete with the biggest European leagues," he said, issuing a clear challenge to everyone involved in the league's ecosystem.
When asked about the taunts he received from away supporters during the match, Ronaldo brushed them off with characteristic confidence. "They love me, it's not a problem. I'm used to this kind of support because I played for many years at Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester. For me, it's not a problem—I just want to see our fans happy," he concluded with a smile.
Despite the off-field drama, Ronaldo continues to deliver on the pitch. The forward has racked up an impressive 27 goals and four assists in 32 appearances for Al-Nassr this season, proving that his competitive fire remains as bright as ever—even as he calls for a more professional and respectful environment in the league he now calls home.