As rumours around Cristiano Ronaldo‘s future intensify, former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo wants the Portuguese star to sign with a Saudi Arabian team.
After Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan, in which he admitted feeling betrayed by the team and manager Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo and United decided to part ways on the eve of the World Cup.
After he unsuccessfully attempted to leave in the summer, the striker has been having trouble getting regular starts under the new boss.
As a result, Ronaldo will be playing in the World Cup in Qatar without a club, which has never happened to a player of his calibre. According to recent sources, the 37-year-old is almost certain to sign a contract with Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia worth more than £400 million.
And Ighalo, who played for United on loan during the 2019–20 season and is currently playing for Al Hilal in the Saudi Professional League, would support such a move.
As reported by The Athletic, he said:
“Cristiano Ronaldo is hugely ambitious, and I think he will want to play in a Champions League team and end his career well, but you never can say. He has the decision to make. I wish him all the best in that decision, and hopefully, he does come to Saudi Arabia.”
“I would love for him to come to Saudi because he would boost the league and add more fanbase to the league. People who aren’t already watching will start to engage with the league and see something they are missing.”
There have been rumours of Ronaldo trying to secure a move to Chelsea, Bayern Munich, or Atletico Madrid. He and his agent Jorge Mendes are holding out for Champions League football.
Even if Ronaldo wants to remain in Europe, his choice may not be up to him because very few clubs can afford his enormous salary.
Therefore, at this point in his career, a move like that seems highly unlikely.
