
via Imago
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr FC gestures against Al-Raed FC during their SAFF Roshn Saudi Pro League 2023-24 Match. Credit: Imago

via Imago
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr FC gestures against Al-Raed FC during their SAFF Roshn Saudi Pro League 2023-24 Match. Credit: Imago
Players from Europe and other parts of the country are joining Middle Eastern clubs after Cristiano Ronaldo led the way last year. After his controversial Manchester United second spell, he left the club to join Al Nassr. Since then, many world-class players have been moving to the country, earning bumper contracts. Most of his former teammates, like Karim Benzema and Portugal teammate Ruben Neves, have joined various Saudi soccer clubs. However, the Portuguese superstar wasn’t quick to welcome one of his old teammates.
Juan Cuadrado star explained that he never wants to join Ronaldo due to peculiar reasons. Despite being a Juventus teammate, Ronaldo denied the Columbian the opportunity to enter Saudi Arabia.
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Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t want his Columbian teammate at Al Nassr
Juan Cuadrado is one of the best right-wing backs of recent times. According to Daily Mail, he stated, “At this moment, I still have the passion and I like to compete. Besides, Ronaldo is down there and he doesn’t want me! I am very relaxed, thinking of what is best, asking God for help with these decisions. My agent, Andrey Martinez, was in Europe and has just arrived to talk to me about various situations. Obviously, there are options and we’ll analyze which is the best.”

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Juan Cuadrado of Juventus celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring the goal of 2-0 during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Torino FC at Juventus stadium in Turin Italy , July 4th, 2020. Play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease. Photo Federico Tardito / Insidefoto federicoxtardito
Cuadrado took to the right-back role like a duck to water by becoming a tricky winger in the early stages of his career. Despite spending three seasons with Ronaldo, Cuadrado explained how Ronaldo fails to recognize him as a viable option for the club. The duo won two Serie A titles together and provided a remarkable edge for the Italian soccer club. Cuadrado won nine trophies during his time with Juventus and made around 300 appearances.
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Everyone wants to join Saudi Arabian soccer clubs
Following Ronaldo’s arrival, the league set their eyes on greater heights by signing some of the top players in their prime. In general, players in the twilight of their careers move to find more lucrative financial packages. But now, they are attracting players like Neves, Roberto Firmino and targeting players at their peak like Bernardo Silva and others.

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07 CRISTIANO RONALDO POR – 19 Karim BENZEMA fra – FAIR PLAY FOOTBALL : Portugal vs France – UEFA EURO, EM, Europameisterschaft,Fussball 2020 – 23/06/2021 AnthonyBIBARD/FEP/Panoramic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxITAxBEL
Benzema and N’golo Kante are the other famous players to join for lucrative packages. The compensation they receive in the Middle East is double what they receive in Europe. High-profile managers like Steven Gerrard are also joining the club. Things look promising for everyone involved with Saudi Arabia, except Juan Cuadrado.
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