- Yorke opines on CR7’s ‘struggles’ in Saudi
- Claims 40-year-old’s goals won’t be enough to win titles
- Expects Al-Nassr to come ‘very close’ to winning silverware
The iconic former Premier League striker elaborated on why Ronaldo‘s stint in Saudi Arabia has been a failure from a collective standpoint, despite netting over a century of goals with Al-Nassr since joining in January 2023. Yorke believes “Ronaldo’s goals are no longer enough” and accused his team-mates of not contributing as much as the Portuguese does.
Ronaldo has netted an incredible 101 goals in just 114 games for Al-Nassr to further prove his unprecedented longevity. In two-and-a-half seasons with the Saudi giants, the ex-Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid forward has failed to win major silverware. Indeed, Al-Nassr have finished runners-up twice and third once in the Saudi Pro League, while they lost to Al-Hilal on penalties in the 2024 King Cup final. Last week, Al-Ahli beat them, once again on penalties, in the Saudi Super Cup final to extend Ronaldo’s quest for a title.
Speaking to Jackpot City Casino Yorke said: “I work on the Saudi League and follow it comprehensively. Cristiano Ronaldo still scores a lot of goals, but his goals are no longer enough, whereas in the past, they were sufficient to win major competitions. This is certainly true in that league. I don’t think his team-mates are contributing as much as he has. He has big names and good players around him to really win the league. But for some reason, Al Hilal are the ones dominating the Saudi League.
“He’s struggled with Al-Nassr for a number of years. But as you know, he will go to the very end because he’s continued chasing these goals. He was a serial winner in the past, but he hasn’t been able to win any major competition there, and that must be eating away at him.
“They have come close and had an opportunity to win a major competition but just haven’t been able to get it over the line. But, you know, he’s got Sadio Mane and those type of guys alongside him, so they really should be closer. But they come unstuck every time they come up against Al Hilal, who dominate the league, and somehow, they haven’t been able to overcome them. That’s the biggest challenge, and I’m sure he will want to win it.
“He’s been given a two-year contract extension, so he’s got another two years, including this year, to really try and do something. They’re desperate, and he is desperate to win something major because wherever he’s been, he’s won, hasn’t he? So he will not want that to slip without him winning a major cup. I expect them to come closer this season. I really do. With the signings, and they continue to try and add to the squad, I expect them to come very close.
“He’s doing everything. He’s still scoring on a regular basis. I’m not sure how many goals he got last season, but he’s got quite a bit for both club and country.”
After signing a fresh two-year renewal in the summer, Ronaldo will be aiming to lay his hands on at least one major trophy in the Middle East. His goal-scoring prowess remains intact as he scored in Al-Nassr’s 5-0 trashing of Al-Taawoun on Friday in the first league game of the 2025-26 season. The Portuguese legend will next be seen in action on September 14 against Al-Kholood.
