Former English midfielder Steven Gerrard has lauded Cristiano Ronaldo for becoming a member of Saudi Arabia’s skilled soccer league and the influence that it has had on the game.
Talking in an interview with the Saudi Professional League, Gerrard termed Ronaldo “one of the best players” to ever play the sport and revealed that he was influenced to affix the Saudi soccer league by Ronaldo’s choice to affix the Al Nassr membership.
“The arrival of ‘The GOAT’ as we call him [Ronaldo], arriving in January obviously [was] a huge signing,” he stated.
“He nonetheless had quite a lot of soccer to supply. So, from afar, for six months, I used to be trying in at his [Rondalo’s] outcomes, within the league, watching some video games and watching some highlights. I believe from that second, the league all over the world had grow to be a very talked-about speaking level for everybody. After his [Rondalo’s] arrival, much more, big-name signings, abilities and ability units have been becoming a member of the league.”
“At the time it coincided with me being out of the game and looking for my next opportunity, so I was fascinated from afar looking in, and when my agent brought a couple of opportunities in the Gulf area at the time, I was fascinated to explore them,” he added.
It’s to be famous that Ronaldo signed for Sadi Arabia’s Al Nassr membership in a deal believed to be price greater than €200 million in December final 12 months. The 37-year-old penned a contract that can take him to June 2025.
In the meantime, Gerrard joined Al Ettifaq as a supervisor in July earlier this 12 months.
“The Ettifaq proposal and alternative have been probably the most thrilling for me as a result of I’ve signed as much as a membership the place the board are very passionate. They perceive the place the membership is at, they perceive it’s one thing that’s going to wish constructing, and it’s going to take time,” Gerrard stated whereas expressing his views on changing into a part of the Saudi soccer setup.
“That’s the explanation why I used to be very considering analysing this one as a result of in my job you want time. Particularly when a membership has completed seventh within the league and so many factors behind the highest 4. That’s not a simple repair; it’s not one thing you repair in every week, a month, or six months,” he added.
“It’s a project to build on the pitch, which is obviously the priority, but also a lot of things needed to change around it to give the first team the support it needs,” he concluded.
