Cristiano Ronaldo aims thinly veiled dig at Saudi Pro League critics as he labels football 'very competitive' and highlights 'number of stars'

Cristiano Ronaldo clearly doesn't agree with critics of of the Saudi Pro League.

The Portuguese superstar scored a hat-trick for Al-Nassr in their 4-0 friendly victory over Rio Ave on Thursday night and had some words about the current state of football in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo was responding to a question about the arrival of Portugal team-mate Joao Felix, who joined Al-Nassr from Chelsea in a £26m deal just over a week ago.

Felix had the opportunity to rejoin his former club Benfica and it has been claimed that Ronaldo was crucial in convincing him to join Al-Nassr instead, with some questioning if it was the right move.

'Stealing is bad form,' Ronaldo replied. 'No one has ever stolen anything from Benfica. 

'Everyone knows Joao; he's very talented. I think he'll help us a lot in the Saudi league, which is very competitive. 

'You don't know him; you're not there, you don't show up, but we saw him at the Club World Cup. 

'I think it was a better option for Felix than playing in the Portuguese league; just look at the number of stars there are in Saudi Arabia. 

'Regardless of not playing in the Champions League, it was a very wise decision on his part. 

'Calling him to convince him? I don't do that, I don't pick up the phone. It's not my job. You (journalists) said that, but my job is to train and play.' 

Ronaldo has scored four goals in three games in pre-season and is looking to win the Saudi Pro League for the first time since his move from Man United in 2022.

The 40-year-old ended last season on a high, winning the Nations League with Portugal.