“If he was looking for a challenge" - When Zlatan Ibrahimovic blasted Cristiano Ronaldo for leaving Real Madrid
After achieving almost everything at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo decided to take on a new challenge in his career in 2018. In the summer transfer window of the same year, he made a switch to Juventus, one of the giants in Italian football and a club that boast a huge legacy.
His move to Italy was taken positively by his set of faithful and also several footballers and pundits. However, former player Zlatan Ibrahimovic was critical of this development. In January 2019, Ibrahimovic told Voetbal Niews (via ghanasoccernet.com):
"Cristiano talks about new challenges. And he calls it a challenge to join a club that is already strong and that has won Serie A. Bullsh*t. Joining Juventus isn’t a challenge."
As per the Swedish icon, who has now retired from football, joining an already established club was not a challenge suitable for Ronaldo. He added:
“If he was looking for a challenge, he should of joined Juve a few years ago when they were in Serie B, and then brought them back to Serie A and won then.”
These words contradict Zlatan Ibrahimovic's own actions. The Swedish striker had left AFC Ajax to sign for Juventus in 2004. However, after the club was relegated in 2006, Ibrahimovic shifted boat to Inter Milan, who are one of the rivals of Juventus. Perhaps the only player who remained loyal to Juventus was Alessandro Del Piero, who despite the scandals going on at the club, never turned his face away from them.
When Cristiano Ronaldo took on a new challenge
In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo finally went on a new adventure. After conquering Europe between 2003 and 2022, he made his way to Asia. After the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he signed for Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr. The iconic player is currently plying his trade for them in the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League Elite, among other competitions.
After Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia, many footballers from Europe chose Asia as their next destination. Players such as Ruben Neves, Renan Lodi, Neymar Jr, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo, Aymeric Laporte, and Sadio Mane now play for outfits like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
This season, he has scored eight goals and registered three assists in nine appearances across all competitions. He might be handed a new contract soon and will perhaps call his retirement while playing for Al-Nassr.