At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to perform at an elite level with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, maintaining an impressive tally of nine goals in ten appearances across all competitions this season.
Yet, despite his ongoing success, the Portuguese star insists that finding the net in Spain’s La Liga was easier than it is in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo made the remark during a recent interview with Piers Morgan, which was later shared by football journalist Fabrizio Romano.
“For me, it’s easier to score goals in Spain, in La Liga, than to score in Saudi,” Ronaldo said.
Comparing La Liga and the Saudi Pro League
Ronaldo’s comments reignited debate about the comparative standard of football between Europe’s top leagues and the rapidly developing Saudi Pro League.
During his nine-year spell at Real Madrid (2009 – 2018), Ronaldo scored a record 450 goals in 438 appearances, winning four Champions League titles, two La Liga championships, and four Ballon d’Or awards. That period is widely regarded as the peak of his career.
Now in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo continues to perform efficiently but faces different circumstances a more physical league, hotter conditions, and teams still building tactical cohesion. “I have played everywhere,” Ronaldo explained. “If I were at a top Premier League club now, I could still keep my scoring level high.”
He also reiterated his belief that the Saudi Pro League deserves greater global recognition: “People shouldn’t ignore Saudi football. Look how many top players are playing here. Ask them if it’s competitive, don’t ask me; the answer is clear.”
Ronaldo Explains Why He Did Not Attend Diogo Jota’s Funeral
Ronaldo also addressed public criticism regarding his absence from the funeral of Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident in July 2025. Despite their shared history as teammates on the Portugal national team, Ronaldo chose not to attend the ceremony.
In his statement, he explained that the decision came from respect for privacy and sensitivity:
“People criticized me a lot, but I don’t care. When your conscience is clear, there’s nothing to worry about. Everyone knows my reputation: Anywhere I go, it becomes a circus. If I had gone to Jota’s funeral, all the attention would have shifted to me, and I didn’t want that. I made my plans privately, thinking about his family. I don’t need the public to see what I do. I did everything behind the scenes.”
Ronaldo admitted that Jota’s death deeply affected him:
“I cried a lot when I heard the news. I couldn’t believe it. It was a very, very difficult moment for the country, for his family, friends, teammates… truly devastating. We still feel his presence in the national team because Jota was a part of us.”
Ronaldo remains focused on delivering success for Al Nassr, but speculation continues regarding a possible return to Europe before retirement. Should that occur, he might have a chance to validate his own claim about where scoring truly comes easier.
Regardless of comparisons, Ronaldo’s continued productivity at 40 reaffirms his place among football’s greatest goalscorers a legacy that transcends leagues and eras.
Sources: 24h
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