'They say that I'm finished' – Cristiano Ronaldo hits back at critics and insists he 'still feels the passion' in Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr

The Portuguese superstar has made a career out of proving detractors wrong, with history-making exploits suggesting that he should never be written off. Plenty have done that down the years – particularly when CR7 severed ties with Manchester United in 2022 and opted to head for the Middle East.

Ronaldo faced accusations of moving to the Saudi Pro League purely for financial gain, as he works on the most lucrative contract in world football, but he sets the highest standards of himself and has registered 74 goals for Al-Nassr through 85 appearances.

There is no sign of the evergreen frontman slowing down at 39 years of age, and he has said in a promotional video for the new Netflix documentary all about life in Saudi Arabian football: “I came here to win, to make the league better. I want to leave a legacy. That's what I want. They say I'm finished, that I'm only here for the money... I still feel the passion. They don't believe it, but I'm here to win.”

Ronaldo has won the Arab Champions Cup with Al-Nassr – scoring two goals in the final of their 2023 triumph over Al-Hilal – but is still waiting on the grandest of honours in the Middle East and will see his current contract expire next summer.

He is expected to play on beyond the expiration of those terms, with Ronaldo making no secret of the fact that he wants to reach 1,000 career goals before considering retirement. He has seen an extended stay in the Saudi Pro League discussed, potentially at a different club, along with a possible return to Europe.