Al-Nassr were top of the league before Cristiano Ronaldo made his high-profile move to the Middle East with the club eventually surrendering the title to rivals Al-Ittihad
Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he initially struggled to cope in Saudi Arabia after his tumultuous exit from Manchester United.
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The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, 38, was binned off by the Old Trafford outfit prior to the start of the World Cup following a scathing interview with Talk TV host Piers Morgan, in which Ronaldo publicly slated the club and manager Erik ten Hag.
Consequently, United first sanctioned the Portuguese hero before ripping up the remainder of his contract and Ronaldo later penned a lucrative £186m-a-year contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
The Middle Eastern move was earmarked as a statement of intent from the league leaders but Al-Nassr sensationally finished the 2022/23 campaign five points behind title rivals Al-Ittihad, who also triumphed over Ronaldo's new club in the Saudi Super Cup semi-finals.
Contributing with 16 goal involvements, 14 goals and two assists, in as many matches, Ronaldo more than played his part in chasing down Al-Ittihad but, by his own admission, he struggled to cope with the late start to training.
"Every league and country is different and I am very proud to have experienced three different leagues in Europe [and won titles in them all], said Ronaldo, speaking to LiveScore.
"The biggest difference I have found in Saudi is obviously the heat and adapting schedules to train later in the day when it is cooler. But I have really gotten used to that now."
Signing a two-and-a-half-year deal in the final days of 2022, Ronaldo will be 40 by the time his contract expires at the end of the 2024/25 campaign. The quintuple Champions League veteran is then expected to take on an advisory role once he hangs up his boots with the Saudi side.
