From Ronaldo’s Discipline to Saudi Frontiers: Demiral’s Candid Take on Ronaldo, Riyadh, and Rising Ambitions

Ronaldo’s Discipline, a Mentor in Italy and Beyond

In a candid chat on the Kora Break podcast, Turkish defender Merih Demiral, now with Al-Ahli, opens up about his personality, his career path, and the lessons learned while sharing a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus. He revisits Europe’s varied landscapes and explains how Ronaldo’s approach to training, nutrition, and relentless focus influenced his own professional development.

Saudi Pro League: A New Challenge and a Cultural Bridge

Demiral outlines the hardest leagues he has played in—Portugal, Turkey, Italy, and now Saudi Arabia—noting that European sides emphasize tactical roles and intensive sessions, while the Saudi competition tests teams with a higher tempo and depth of quality. He praises the generosity and warmth of the Saudi people and notes cultural parallels with Turkey, especially around food and some shared Arabic phrases. He also mentions his favorite dishes, like shawarma and lamb with rice, while balancing his dietary discipline.

On Ronaldo’s influence, Demiral recalls a formative period at Juventus, describing Ronaldo as a disciplined and intelligent leader whose mindset helped him grow. He jokes about trying to imitate Ronaldo’s breakfast routine, acknowledging it’s a hard habit to copy but a fun challenge to chase. He sees Ronaldo as a cornerstone of the Saudi project, explaining that Ronaldo arrived first and helped set the tone for those who followed. Playing against Ronaldo remains an exciting challenge that motivates him to perform at his best.

Regarding idols, Demiral cites Nemanja Vidić as a defender he admired, alongside Giorgio Chiellini, praising their consistency and attention to detail. He emphasizes the importance of staying focused on every facet of preparation to prolong a career, aiming to play into his late thirties or early forties, much like Ronaldo.

Demiral also reveals the toughest opponent he faced: Fabio Quagliarella during his Sampdoria days, a striker who once delivered an astonishing season with around 37 goals. He concedes that the Saudi League houses many other dangerous attackers, but he refuses to underestimate any rival.

Off the pitch, Demiral notes a preference for family time, rarely going out due to a busy schedule and travel. He enjoys quiet moments with his wife and children in Jeddah, and he is impressed by the rapid growth and opportunities in Saudi Arabia, inviting curious observers to see the transformation themselves.

In closing, he sends a heartfelt message to Al-Ahli fans: he loves them, commits to giving his all to help the club win title after title, and remains dedicated to representing Turkey with pride. He believes the journey reflects a larger football story—globetrotting athletes delivering excitement from Europe to the Middle East and creating new legends on every pitch.

Punchlines of the day

“If defending is an art, I’m the museum curator—quiet, precise, and occasionally blocking the exit.”

“My tackles are like my jokes: sometimes a bit rough, but they land where it counts.”