Why 'legend' Cristiano Ronaldo gets special treatment at Al-Nassr - with Stefano Pioli explaining what makes CR7 different to AC Milan legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo completed a stunning move to the Middle East in 2023. He has registered 80 goals for Al-Nassr through 89 appearances, as he chases down 1,000 efforts in total over the course of a record-shattering career.

Ronaldo continues to demand the highest standards of himself at 39 years of age and remains a source of inspiration to those alongside him in the Saudi Pro League and millions of followers around the world. That standing means that CR7 is treated slightly differently by Pioli and his coaching team.

The Italian tactician has told Gazzetta dello Sport of working with the Portuguese GOAT: "If I arrive half an hour early, he’s there 25 minutes early. He’s always the first to get on the bus. He’s a perfectionist who demands a lot from himself and from others. He lives for the team, he helps, he advises. Sometimes I let him talk to the players. I can’t treat him like the others, but he’s intelligent and he respects his role and mine."

Ronaldo is not the first superstar that Pioli has worked with, having previously enjoyed Serie A title success alongside Ibrahimovic at AC Milan. Pioli added when asked what makes CR7 different to the enigmatic Swedish striker – who also played into his 40s: "They are different characters. Ibra was impetuous and had a dominant personality. Cristiano is a legend, he’s global, enormous. He has a thousand official goals in the back of his mind. He will score them, he’s not far off."

Ronaldo will return to action with Al-Nassr after their winter break when facing Al Akhdoud on Thursday. A decision on his long-term future will need to be made at some stage as his lucrative contract is due to expire in the summer of 2025.