Haaland finally misfires as Man City draw a UCL blank

Follow GOAL's WhatsApp channel now!

The best Samsung fitness trackers in 2024

Russo goes missing as Hacken punish Arsenal in UWCL upset

Konate & Van Dijk lead from the front in Liverpool comeback

Endrick breaks Real Madrid legend's record in UCL win

Rudiger to the rescue! Madrid & Mbappe labour to UCL win

Rashford & Garnacho batter Barnsley in crushing Carabao win

Ballon d'Or Rankings: Vini at No.1 after nominees announced

Ferguson delivers stirring motivational message to Le Tissier

More UCL games means Haaland should catch CR7 even sooner

Casemiro tried to stop Garnacho pulling off CR7 celebration

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>All-time great moved to Middle East in 2023</li><li>Joined by several other household names</li><li>In the process of chasing down 1,000 goals</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Are critics watching? Cristiano Ronaldo has 'proved' quality of Saudi football says Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves as former Premier League midfielder makes big GPS claim

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner headed to the Middle East in 2023, following his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-on-purpose-man-utd-exit-strategy-stam-handled-better/blt9b32129c6b01c4a3" target="_blank">dramatic release by Manchester United</a>. Ronaldo paved the way for several other household names to join him in a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-saudi-arabia-stadium-2034-world-cup-cristiano-ronaldo-endorses-plans/bltf89e942347cfff19" target="_blank">big-spending division that boasts huge ambition</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Neves is among those to have followed his fellow countryman to Saudi Arabia, telling the <a href="https://www.fpf.pt/pt/News/Todas-as-not%C3%ADcias/Not%C3%ADcia/news/46165/contextid/172 " target="_blank">Portuguese FA’s official website</a> of why football in the region deserves greater credit: “I invite those people [critics] to watch Saudi football. 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 that Saudi football has quality.”

WHAT NEVES SAID

Ronaldo <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/records-follow-me-cristiano-ronaldo-reacts-more-history-al-nassr-superstar-50-goals-season/blt6adf896e2fd67e6e" target="_blank">registered 50 goals for Al-Nassr last season</a> and has already been back on target for them in the current campaign. He has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-more-dreams-al-nassr-portugal-star-900th-career-goal-aged-39/bltb7aa635ded895fc4" target="_blank">taken his record-shattering tally of career efforts to 901</a> – after hitting the net in back-to-back UEFA Nations League fixtures for Portugal.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Quizzed on whether former United, Real Madrid and Juventus superstar Ronaldo can <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/portugal-al-nassr-cristiano-ronaldo-1000-goal-slovakia/blt48e326d63b8a8d89" target="_blank">achieve his aim of reaching 1,000 competitive goals</a> – with the evergreen frontman now 39 years of age – Al-Hilal midfielder Neves added: “Of course it is possible. He is already on goal 901 and with Cristiano anything is possible.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Ronaldo and Neves are preparing to rejoin their respective club sides after helping <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-simple-10-word-message-bailing-portugal-out-scotland-first-substitute-appearance-country-2022/blt109122d3a5c7607f" target="_blank">Portugal to pick up six points from Nations League meetings with Croatia and Scotland</a>. Saudi Pro League action resumes this weekend.

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Are critics watching? Cristiano Ronaldo has 'proved' quality of Saudi football says Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves as former Premier League midfielder makes big GPS claim | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Ruben Neves claims that Cristiano Ronaldo has “proved” the quality of Saudi Pro League football, with critics being urged to pay closer attention.

Are critics watching? Cristiano Ronaldo has &apos;proved&apos; quality of Saudi football says Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves as former Premier League midfielder makes big GPS claim