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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><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><ul><li>Ronaldo backs Saudi Arabia to host great World Cup</li><li>Says 2034 edition will be the best ever</li><li>Competition will return to Middle East after 12 years</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Cristiano Ronaldo backs 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia to be 'best ever' as Al-Nassr superstar points to growth of Pro League

Gulf Cup

Saudi Arabia

Bahrain

<p>Ronaldo has backed the nation to make the tournament a success after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/saudi-arabia-confirmed-host-nation-2034-fifa-world-cup-unopposed-bid/blt5c3a66686dea6c42#cs3eace2957c06e010" target="_blank">FIFA announced the World Cup will return to the Middle East</a> in 2034 for the second time in history, after Qatar hosted the flagship competition in 2022. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The Portugal icon has seen the growth in the standard of football and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia from close quarters in the last two years. He moved to Saudi in January 2023 and since then has been an integral part of Al-Nassr. He has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-makes-history-al-nassr-breaks-saudi-pro-league-record-most-goals-in-season/bltdba00468162c54b2" target="_blank">broke multiple records in the Saudi Pro League</a> and remains the biggest star in the nation despite the arrival of several top players recently.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>After Saudi Arabia was formally declared the host nation of the 2034 World Cup, Ronaldo released a video on social media, saying: "2034 will be the best World Cup ever. It's amazing! The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything and after what I see, I'm more convinced&nbsp;that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever.</p><p>"One or two of these kids that I will be together with today will play in the World Cup. I believe that they will continue to grow, especially&nbsp;the women as well, that they grow very well too. We have to grow together in everything. Not only in football but in life and I will motivate them to work hard, believe in that."</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to all my friends in Saudi, I know how proud you all are today and I am sure <a href="https://twitter.com/Saudi2034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Saudi2034</a> will be historic 🇸🇦🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeToSaudi34?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeToSaudi34</a> <a href="https://t.co/m0GB1O2R4w">pic.twitter.com/m0GB1O2R4w</a></p>— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano/status/1866942431989756322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID

<p>Speaking on the growth of the Saudi league, the 39-year-old added: "The league has grown so fast in the last year. If you see the difference, it's amazing. You have like seven or eight big clubs right now in the league that are very difficult to beat. The evolution of the players, for example, my teammates and the other teams too, that Saudis grow so fast and are becoming better players.</p><p>"The country is unbelievable. The Saudis are very good people. Every year, they do big events, football matches, boxing - entertainment is very high. The future is very bright in my opinion. And I am happy to be part of the success of this country and I will be here for sure to see the World Cup."</p><p></p>

'THE LEAGUE HAS GROWN SO FAST'

<p>The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star will now enjoy a well-earned break before the Saudi Pro League resumes in January. His next game is on January 9 against Al-Okhdood.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Cristiano Ronaldo backs 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia to be 'best ever' as Al-Nassr superstar points to growth of Pro League | Goal.com UK

Cristiano Ronaldo backed the 2034 World Cup, hosted by, Saudi Arabia to be the best ever edition of the competition.