RONALDO: I WANT TEAM TROPHIES

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he "no longer cares" about being the best player in the world, instead shifting his focus to supporting his team. The 39-year-old superstar, who joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United, emphasized his commitment to his teammates following his recent performance in the AFC Champions League.

On Monday, Ronaldo scored in Al-Nassr's 2-1 victory against Al-Rayyan, marking yet another milestone in his illustrious career. However, the former Real Madrid and Juventus star downplayed his individual achievements. "It is not important anymore whether I am the best or not, I no longer care about that," said Ronaldo after the match. "It is good for a player to score goals, but for me, it is better for the team to win."

Ronaldo, who has broken numerous records and won five Ballon d'Or awards, expressed that his priorities have evolved. "I am used to breaking records and I no longer look for them. The most important thing for me now is to enjoy and help Al-Nassr and my teammates to win," he added.

During the match against Al-Rayyan, Ronaldo scored the 904th goal of his career. Instead of performing his trademark celebration, he pointed to the sky, revealing a personal reason behind the gesture. "My goal against Al-Rayyan was different and important because my father would have been happy with it if he was alive, as today [Monday] is his birthday," Ronaldo explained.

Despite his legendary status, Ronaldo was not shortlisted for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Nevertheless, his focus remains on his current club and his future with Al-Nassr. In August, he hinted that he might conclude his career in Saudi Arabia, saying, "I don't know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al-Nassr."

Since joining the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo has continued to make a significant impact. He helped Al-Nassr win the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023 and became the top scorer in a single season in the Saudi Pro League with 35 goals last May. However, he has yet to secure a domestic title or continental-level silverware with Al-Nassr.

His recent international success with Portugal saw him score his 901st career goal in a 2-1 win over Scotland in the Nations League last month. As Ronaldo nears the twilight of his playing days, his focus has clearly shifted from individual accolades to team accomplishments, a testament to his evolution as a player and leader.