“Cristiano does not raise the level of football in Saudi Arabia” – Cristiano Ronaldo sent strong message on Al-Nassr move by Russian midfielder

Russian midfielder Magomed Ozdoyev has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia hasn't raised the level of football in the country.

Ozdoyev plays for Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk, who are currently ninth in the Super Lig table. The Russia international joined the club from Zenit St. Petersburg last summer. He has contributed five goals and provided four assists in 31 games for Fatih Karagumruk across competitions.

As per Sporx, Ozdoyev also had offers from Saudi Arabia before he moved to Turkey. However, he has refused to play there due to a lack of professionalism. He said:

"There is not enough professionalism, I will not play there. Ronaldo transferred, now it is spoken that [Lionel] Messi will sign, but after a few years I can go there."

Ozdoyev also claimed that despite many such claims, Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival hasn't improved the quality of football in Saudi Arabia. He said:

"Cristiano does not raise the level of football in Saudi Arabia. It moves its own image. But movement does not increase the ceiling of understanding and the quality of football."

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr FC in January, over a month after his mutual departure from Manchester United. He has since scored 13 goals and provided two assists in 17 games across competitions for the club.

Lionel Messi, meanwhile, is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this summer. As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Al-Hilal have made a big offer of €400 million a year to the Argentine for a potential move to Saudi Arabia.

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Legendary footballer picks 2 players over Cristiano Ronaldo as the best attackers he faced

AC Milan and Italy legend Paolo Maldini named Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario as the two toughest attackers he faced. The former defender also named Cristiano Ronaldo but claimed that the aforementioned duo were harder to face.

Maldini said (via Tutto Juve):

"He and Ronaldo, the Brazilian, are the strongest. I didn't play against Messi, thank God. CR7 is a great striker, but he has less magic than the other two."

He added:

"I was fast and physically strong, but they were even faster. Diego was also very nice: when they nominated him in the Hall of fame, I was ashamed for having given him so many blows, and I apologised."

Maldini faced Maradona 14 times in his career for club and country, winning five games and losing five as well. He had a symmetrical record against Ronaldo Nazario as he won, lost, and drew three times each in nine games against the Brazilian.

Meanwhile, the Italian legend only played thrice against Cristiano Ronaldo, winning two games and losing once.