Ferdinand: Ronaldo Stands Alone as Saudi Football Writes Its New Chapter
29 October 2025
Ronaldo's Peak Meets a New Frontier
Retired England star Rio Ferdinand, a former Manchester United defender, offers his take on Saudi football. He praises the league's energy and Cristiano Ronaldo's ongoing impact at Al Nassr, calling the Saudi Pro League different and intriguing and a very good experience. He stresses that football is universal, but differences in style deliver fresh interpretation and energy when players bring their knowledge and leadership to new shores.
The Secret to Ronaldo's Distinction
Ferdinand argues that no one can replicate Ronaldo's career. He says if someone tells you to do what Ronaldo does, you must mirror his dedication, consistency, training, nutrition, sleep, and daily habits. He notes that many aspire to imitate him, yet 99.9% would fail, which underscores why Ronaldo achieved such a unique professional trajectory. Ferdinand recalls their Manchester United days and Ronaldo's later stints at Real Madrid, Juventus, and beyond, winning multiple titles together.
A Night of Upset and Free-Kick Legacy
The ex-defender reflects on a tough evening as Ronaldo's side was eliminated from the King’s Cup by Al Ittihad, losing 1-2 at home. He points out Ronaldo was not at his best, though he contributed to the visitors' exit. Ferdinand adds that Ronaldo still often takes most free kicks around the box, rarely handing opportunities to teammates, a trait that shows his leadership and stubborn brilliance. He describes Ronaldo's knuckleball technique, a shot with minimal spin that creates late movement and unpredictability, which powered many iconic goals earlier in his career. In the last decade, Ronaldo's free-kick tally has declined, but he continues to rely on the approach to preserve his signature style.
Punchline 1: If football were a sniper’s rifle, Ronaldo’s shots would be headshots—on target, even when the crowd ducks.
Punchline 2: And if Ronaldo ever retires from free kicks, the goalkeeper will need HR to file an emotional damage report for all the fans who cried when the ball bent the wrong way.
