Cristiano Ronaldo's Presence Making Things 'Difficult': Al-Nassr Teammate Luiz Gustavo

Cristiano Ronaldo's Presence Making Things 'Difficult': Al-Nassr Teammate Luiz GustavoCristiano Ronaldo has only one goal to his name in competitive football since signings for Al-Nassr in mega deal.NDTV Sports DeskUpdated: February 07, 2023 03:39 PM ISTRead Time:2 min

Cristiano Ronaldo's Presence Making Things 'Difficult': Al-Nassr Teammate Luiz Gustavo

Cristiano Ronaldo has only scored once for Al-Nassr© AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo was finally able to break his Al-Nassr duck, scoring from the spot in the club's 2-2 draw against Al Fateh. Ronaldo, who was expected to set the stage on fire in Saudi Arabia, hasn't yet hit the ground running. Ronaldo's Al-Nassr teammate Luiz Gustavo, speaking of the Portuguese's struggles, admitted that it's been difficult for the team since the former Real Madrid man arrived, ending his Manchester United stint midway through mutual consent.

While Ronaldo himself has looked good in phases, Gustavo said that teams tend to perform better when Ronaldo is in the Al-Nassr XI.

"Certainly, the presence of Cristiano (Ronaldo) makes it difficult for us, as all teams seek to participate against him in the best possible way, and he gives motivation to everyone," Gustavo told RT Arabic.

"His presence at Al-Nassr gives a great advantage to the group because we learn from him every day, given the great capabilities he possesses, both technically and physically," Gustavo added.

Despite the tough few games since Ronaldo's arrival, the former Bayern Munich midfielder is confident of seeing the Portuguese star excelling in this 'challenge' too.

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"Cristiano Ronaldo was created for challenges and he always succeeds in them. And everyone here is waiting for what he will present. He has already scored his first goal and he, therefore, got rid of the pressure," the Brazilian further said.

The move to Al-Nassr hasn't been a bed of roses for Ronaldo. With only one goal from the spot, the 38-year-old is yet to score from open play for his new club.

Luiz Gustavo, Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate at Al-Nassr, has stated that Ronaldo's presence on the team has made things difficult. Gustavo believes that Ronaldo's reputation means teams are more motivated to play against Al-Nassr, but also sees the Portuguese star as a valuable asset due to his technical and physical abilities. Gustavo is confident that Ronaldo will overcome these difficulties and excel, as he has been successful in previous challenges in his career. Ronaldo has only scored one goal from a penalty in his time with Al-Nassr and is yet to score from open play.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that Cristiano Ronaldo is 38 years old and might be facing a decline in his performance level, which could be contributing to his struggles with Al-Nassr. However, his goal scoring record and proven track record of success in top European leagues indicate that he is still a capable player. Despite his recent struggles, it's important to give Ronaldo time to adjust to his new team and surroundings. Only time will tell if he will be able to replicate his previous success with Al-Nassr.

It's also important to consider the transition from playing in a top European league like the Premier League to a different league and culture in the Middle East. Ronaldo is known for his competitiveness and high expectations, so it's understandable that he may be putting added pressure on himself to perform well. However, with his talent and experience, he has the potential to adapt and thrive in his new environment. Fans and the team at Al-Nassr will be eagerly watching to see how Ronaldo's career progresses with the club.