Cristiano Ronaldo has surprisingly been omitted from the Saudi Pro League team of the season after a mixed debut season.
Ronaldo, 38, moved to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in January, after his contract at Manchester United was terminated following his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
However, the Portuguese international endured a difficult settling in and the period saw Ronaldo struggle for immediate form.
The team he transferred to, Al Nassr, finished second in the Pro League standings, five points behind eventual title winners Al-Ittihad.
Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in his debut match for his new team but went ahead to score five goals in his next two outings as he began to settle down in the new league.
The former Manchester United attacker hit peaks and dips as the second half of the Saudi season progressed, going on to score a hattrick in his fifth appearance before enduring a two-match goalless spell.
Though it was his lowest return since his second season at Man United in 2006, we can excuse it for lack of challenge in the Middle East.
The Team of The Season Cristiano Ronaldo was omitted from, was based on a 4-1-2-3 formation, giving him the chance to be included in either the striker’s role or on one of the wings but he was left out altogether.
Former Watford and Man United center-forward Odion Ighalo took the striker role in the attack and was flanked by Feras Albrikan and Mourad Batna.
Ighalo outperformed Ronaldo by scoring 19 goals in 27 games on his way to becoming the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer for the season.
Ronaldo’s teammates were however included in the lineup, with Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo picked in center midfield and Ghislain Konan at left-back.
He was seen arguing with his team-mates and Al-Nassr staff in April before he stormed off the pitch as his side were held to a goalless draw.
Odion Ighalo Ahead Of Cristiano Ronaldo In The Saudi Pro League Team of the Season
Ighalo in his time at Manchester United failed to score a single goal in England when he played for the 13-time Premier League champions.
But in the Middle East, his fortunes changed when he completed the move to Saudi Arabia.
Ighalo was partnered in attack by Al Fateh duo Firas Al-Buraikan and Mourad Batna, who bagged 17 and 10 goals, respectively.
The champions Al-Ittihad had five players on the line-up, which include Romarinho, Ahmed Hegazi, Ahmed Sharahili, Madallah Al-Olayan, and Marcelo Grohe.
Ex-Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo made the team and was also joined by his Al-Nassr teammate Ghislain Konan at left-back, who boasted an impressive 8.9 match rating on average.
Kaku of Al Taawoun completed the trio in the midfield for the Saudi Pro League team of The Season’s best players.
What Ronaldo Thinks About The Saudi Pro League
Cristiano Ronaldo after completing his first season in the Saudi League, has made positive remarks about the league, claiming that it could become one of the best in the world.
“I am happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here. And in my opinion, if they continue to do the work that they want to do here, for the next five years, I think the Saudi league can be a top-five league in the world”, he said.
“I will be part of your world, your culture, I will be here, I hope I make the people enjoy through my games, my performances, and to win things, but again, thank you for welcoming me, and I will try to give my best during the time that I will be here.
“I like to do what I do. My passion is to play football. I have played it for many, many years, but it is still a joy for me.
“My motivation is to play and to make people happy. To make myself happy, my family happy and all the kids happy. This is my goal.”
