Ronaldo: ‘I’d score the same in PL as I do in Saudi’
Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he would score as many goals in the Premier League as he currently does in Saudi Arabia, defending the quality of the Saudi Pro League and his enduring ability to perform at the highest level.
Speaking in an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, the Al Nassr captain—who has topped the Saudi Pro League scoring charts for the past two seasons—dismissed suggestions that his prolific form is solely due to a lower standard of competition.
“Even in a bad year, I scored 25 goals,” Ronaldo said. “If I played in the Premier League now, in a top team, I’d score the same. Even at 40 years old, with a good team, I’d still score the same.”
The 39-year-old forward, who joined Al Nassr in December 2022 after leaving Manchester United, believes the Saudi Pro League remains underappreciated internationally. He argued that critics underestimate the league’s competitiveness and playing conditions.
“They say things about the Saudi League, but they’ve never been here. They don’t know what it’s like to play in 40-degree heat,” Ronaldo said. “The numbers don’t lie. The Saudi League is much better than the Portuguese League, of course.”
Ronaldo, who has scored over 950 career goals, also compared the league’s competitiveness to other top European divisions. He described France’s Ligue 1 as “only PSG,” acknowledged the Premier League’s superiority, but maintained that Saudi Arabia’s league offered a tougher scoring challenge than Spain’s LaLiga.
“It’s easier to score in Spain than in Saudi,” he added. “Ask the other players who’ve played here—don’t just ask me.”
The Portugal captain, who holds the world record for most international goals, said his longevity stems from an ongoing commitment to improvement and adaptability.
“You learn with experience and time,” he said. “The difference is continuing to improve, even at my age. Many players stop learning after 30. I’ve scored more goals after 30 than before.”
Asked whether he is targeting the 1,000-goal milestone—a mark he could approach by the 2026 World Cup—Ronaldo said he is focused on the present rather than personal records.
“I’m not thinking about that,” he said. “We haven’t even qualified yet. I’m just enjoying the moment.”
Ronaldo also responded calmly to recent remarks by former teammate Wayne Rooney, who said Lionel Messi was the better player between the two long-time rivals.
“No problem,” Ronaldo said. “He can choose who he prefers. I respect him. I don’t have time to be against people anymore.”
When asked whether he still considers himself the best in the world, Ronaldo replied simply:
“I don’t care about that anymore.”
Ronaldo’s comments underline his continued self-belief and advocacy for the Saudi Pro League, where his influence—on and off the pitch—has helped raise the profile of the competition since his landmark move in 2022.