Cristiano Ronaldo goals 'proves Saudi Pro League quality' after dramatic winner against Scotland
Cristiano Ronaldo
PA
Cristiano Ronaldo's goals prove that the Saudi Pro League can hold up against European football.
That is the verdict from international team-mate Ruben Neves, who left the Premier League for Saudi Arabia in 2023.
The Portugal international scored the 901st goal of his career with an 88th-minute winner against Scotland in the Nations League.
Scott McTominay, who signed for Napoli in the summer, had opened the scoring in the seventh minute at the Estadio da Luz before his former Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes equalised after half-time.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner for Portugal against Scotland
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Al-Nassr superstar Ronaldo then made sure all three points went Portugal's way in the Nations League with his dramatic winner - his 132nd for his country in 214 caps.
And Neves, who plays for Saudi side Al-Hilal, revealed after the win that Ronaldo's impact proves that there is quality in the Saudi Pro League.
"I invite those people to watch Saudi football," the former Wolves star said.
"I have said this a few times - if you compare my GPS data from English football to Saudi football, I run even more, but with the difference that I run in 40 degrees [celsius].
"I am in good shape physically. Both Cristiano and I proved today that Saudi football has quality."
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After a disappointing campaign over Euro 2024 where Ronaldo failed to score at all, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been desperate to make up the goals.
And he has done exactly that for the Selecao this month after starting against Croatia and bagging what turned out to be the winner in a 2-1 victory where Diogo Dalot scored the opener and also an own goal.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez benched the former Real Madrid star for the match against Scotland before bringing him on and reaping the rewards as he landed the winner.
"Cristiano is in a very good moment," Martinez said.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored goals for fun in Saudi Arabia
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"It's September, he's played three games for the club. The important thing is that we need to protect all the players.
"I liked his commitment. He's an incredible player."
Both goals came from similar situations - crosses from Nuno Mendes, with the Paris Saint-Germain star also coming on off the bench against Scotland.
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Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr after his contract was ripped up by United at the end of 2022 following an explosive interview where he hit out at the club and Erik ten Hag.
Since then, the veteran forward has been back to his goalscoring best in the Saudi Pro League.
In total, Ronaldo has scored 68 times in 74 appearances for Al-Nassr in all competitions - including 51 in 49 league matches.
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