Rivaldo, a Brazilian football star, believes Cristiano Ronaldo was duped when he accepted a lucrative contract with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, joined the Saudi Arabian club in January after Manchester United cancelled his contract following a contentious interview in which he attacked the club.
Ronaldo’s two-and-a-half-year contract at £173 million per year makes him the highest-paid player in the world.
However, Rivaldo, a Brazilian football hero, has claimed that the huge pay offered in Saudi Arabia can obscure the difficulties of playing in the league and adjusting to life in the Gulf state.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Rivaldo stated;
“I understand that sometimes players can be fooled by the large contracts they sign in Saudi Arabia, only to later realize that life there is more closed and football is not always as easy as expected.”
He further added, “So, you may be going through a phase of disappointment and even reflection. If the money you’re receiving compensates for the less-than-happy life you’re currently living, it might be good for him and for football to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Real Madrid to finish his career.”
Rivaldo also stated that, while Ronaldo is still a fantastic player, fans should not expect him to produce at the same level he did when he was younger.
He believes, however, that Ronaldo can still contribute to Real Madrid’s success and help the club win more trophies.
Ronaldo has made a huge impact on the pitch since joining Al-Nassr, scoring 12 goals in 16 appearances across all competitions under manager Dinko Jelicic.
According to sources, Ronaldo’s partner, Georgina Rodriguez, is dissatisfied with life in Saudi Arabia and intends to return to Europe.
