Cristiano Ronaldo spoke of his desire to raise the profile of the game in Saudi Arabia when he signed for Al-Nassr and is determined to do his bit in helping the women’s game
Cristiano Ronaldo is delivering his commitment to women’s football as he looks to grow the game in Saudi Arabia.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Al-Nassr back in January in a move that surprised many. European football remains the pinnacle at club level but Ronaldo, who left Manchester United in acrimonious circumstances, opted to move to the Middle East.
One of his motives being his desire to grow the game – claiming he had accomplished everything in Europe during his spells in Manchester, Madrid and Turin. Ronaldo spoke about raising the profile of the women’s game and has continued to talk up their qualities on social media – where he has millions of followers.
Al-Nassr are immensely competitive domestically, currently sitting top of the table on goal difference as three teams battle it out for the title. Their women’s team is equally as successful and recently claimed a first ever league success with Ronaldo paying tribute to them on his Instagram.
He posted an image of them celebrating alongside the caption: “Huge congratulations to @alnassr_fc women’s team on their 1st league win. Such a fantastic achievement.”
Ronaldo, upon joining Al-Nassr, stated that he wanted to grow football in the Kingdom – which ranged from the current men’s game to the younger stars and the women’s teams.
He said when he arrived: “It’s a new challenge and I’m so glad that Al Nassr has given me this opportunity to develop, not only in football, but also for the young generations, and for women as well. Many people probably don’t know, but Al Nassr has a women’s football team as well. Women’s football is very competitive here.
“I know what I want, and I know, of course, what I don’t want as well. It’s a good chance to change, to help with my knowledge and my experience to grow many, many important things. I want to give a different vision of the country from the footballing perspective of everybody. This is why I took this opportunity.”
The women’s game continues to grow around the world with the World Cup taking place later this year. England claimed their first ever major tournament success in the Euros last summer and there have been calls for the FA Cup winners to be given equal prize money this year.
Sports minister Stuart Andrew said: “Last year Uefa doubled the women’s Euros prize money but this is frankly still a fraction of what the men get. In January last year it was announced the FA would increase prize money for the winners of the women’s FA Cup from this season. However, there is still some way to go to get to the equal prize money of the men’s FA Cup.”
Man Utd investing millions in major revamp after Cristiano Ronaldo complaints
Manchester United are ready to pour more money into improving their Carrington training base after Cristiano Ronaldo was publicly critical of the club’s facilities
Manchester United are ready to further improve the facilities at Carrington with a summer revamp.
The club’s training ground, which has copped criticism for being below standards in the modern game, will see a new wellness suite built, which will be location for players to perform yoga if they wish. Former United star Ryan Giggs has been vocal in how the activity helped prolong his own career.
It is the latest improvement seen at Carrington with investment made late summer in the swimming pool area. New ice baths, steam rooms and jacuzzis were installed as well as new tiling whilst in the briefing room a new tiered system was introduced as well as improved audio and visual equipment.
Cristiano Ronaldo went public with his criticism as he took aim at United’s training ground infrastructure. The forward returned to a second spell in 2020 having previously been in Manchester from 2003 – 2009 and was left shocked at the lack of change.
He told Piers Morgan: “The progress was zero. Since Sir Alex left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed. He [Ferguson] knows better than anybody that the club is not on the path they deserve to be. He knows. Everyone knows. The people who don’t see that… it’s because they don’t want to see. They are blind.”
United have plans to further redevelop their training base having appointed KSS as planners for the long-term plan and they have recruited Mads Mernagh as programme director for the project. Mernagh was heavily involved in Leicester City’s new state-of-the-art training ground, which is seen as the elite base in the Premier League following its opening two years ago.
The club’s Carrington training base has been largely neglected under the Glazers
The potential improvement plans include building an accommodation block that would allow players and staff to stay on-site, as well as creating more casual areas for players to relax. Any future investment may well rest on the club’s ownership with the Glazers looking for a major investor – or a complete sale – in the near future.
Gary Neville has long been critical of the Glazers and has previously lamented them for neglecting the club’s training base as well as Old Trafford.
He said: “In 20 years, Manchester United have not invested in the stadium, and they’ve not invested in the training ground that much. It’s a club that’s really struggling and I’ve said in the last couple of years that the only thing I think can change it now is the ownership. There is an embedded rot at the club.”
He added: “They’ve still not dealt with the football operation; they’ve still not dealt with the player and recruitment department; they’ve still not dealt with the stadium which is rusting and needs massive money spent on it. Manchester United need a billion pounds in this next two-three years to either rebuild or renovate that stadium.”
Source: mirror.co.uk
