"My work in Europe is done. I played at the best clubs in the world… and I won everything. I’m happy and proud to join Al-Nassr. People don’t know about the level here. This contract is unique because I am a unique player. It's normal for me."
Cristiano Ronaldo's first words to the media after being officially presented as an Al-Nassr player were true in some respects. He won seven league titles and five Champions League winners' medals across spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, scoring a staggering 696 goals.
He may even have been as happy as he claimed in that moment, given the fact he had just signed up for a reported annual salary of £177 million ($215m) to become the highest-paid player in world football.
⚽ Cristiano Ronaldo's career goalscoring stats
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But no one really believed that Ronaldo wanted to leave Europe.
During his infamous interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV that effectively ended his second spell at United, the Portugal striker made it quite clear that he wanted to continue playing at the very highest level.
Morgan said to his esteemed guest: "It comes back to my gut feeling about you, that if it was just about money you’d be in Saudi Arabia earning a King’s ransom. But that’s not what motivates you. You want to keep at the top.”
Ronaldo, who reportedly rejected a similarly lucrative offer from the Middle East last summer, then replied: "Exactly."
The Portugal striker had every intention of remaining in Europe, but none of the big clubs wanted him. After burning his bridges at United, the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Napoli all distanced themselves from Ronaldo.
He was successful at Juventus, but even his own team-mates were glad to see the back of him when he re-joined United in 2021. Ronaldo then delivered plenty of goals in his homecoming season at Old Trafford, only to throw his toys out of the pram when Erik ten Hag decided he should no longer be the main man in the team.
Al-Nassr ended up being Ronaldo's best option when all other avenues were closed off, and although the move has allowed him to take centre stage again, he is still not having everything his own way...