Cristiano Ronaldo is omitted from the Saudi squad of the season in favor of a Manchester United flop.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of the Saudi Pro League team for the season, with Manchester United loanee Odion Ighalo taking his place.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January after United canceled his contract following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he openly criticized the club and new manager Erik ten Hag. The Portuguese superstar signed a tremendously lucrative deal with Al Nassr worth £173 million per year, and he has gone on to score 14 league goals in 16 games this season as his club finished second behind Al-Ittihad.
Despite just joining the club midway through the season, Ronaldo finished the season as the league's fifth leading scorer. However, it was not enough for him to be nominated to the season's best team.
Ighalo, who failed to score a single Premier League goal during his loan stay at United, was chosen ahead of Ronaldo after scoring 19 goals in 27 outings for Al-Hilal. Firas Al-Buraikan, who scored 17 goals in 30 games, and Mourad Batna, who scored 10 times in 25 matches, partnered him up front.
Former Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo was selected with Al-Ittihad's Romarinho and Al-Taawoun's Kaku. Ahmed Hegazi, an ex-West Brom defender, was picked to partner Al-Ittihad teammate Ahmed Sharahili at centre-back.
Full-backs Madallah Al-Olayan and Ghislain Konan were chosen, with Brazil international Marcelo Grohe in goal. When asked about his debut season in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo stated that he was enjoying his time at Al Nassr and feels the Saudi Pro League has the potential to become one of the greatest in the world.
"I am happy here, and I want to continue here, and I will continue here," he declared earlier this month. "And, in my opinion, if they continue to do the work that they want to do here for the next five years, the Saudi league can be one of the top five leagues in the world."
"I will be a part of your world, your culture, I will be here, I hope I can make people happy with my games, my performance, and my ability to win things, but thank you for welcoming me, and I will do my best during my time here."
"I enjoy doing what I do." Football is my true love. I've been playing it for a long time, but it still brings me joy. My motivation is to have fun and make others happy. To make myself, my family, and all of the children happy. This is my objective."
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