Ronaldo lauds Saudi Pro League after hat-trick for Al Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Al-Nassr picked up their first Saudi Pro League win of the season by beating Al Fateh 5-0.

Ronaldo then scored twice before Mane got his double. The Portuguese made it five with his third goal deep in stoppage time, after a pass from Nawaf Boushal.

It was the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward’s third hat-trick for the club.

“In the league, we knew it was essential to win today,” Ronaldo said, following Al Nassr’s win. “Obviously, I am delighted to have scored and the team to have played well to score five goals but the most important thing is we started to win.

“As I said, the team is improving game after game, it was demonstrated in our last match and in this game here, a draw improving, the new players also bring more quality, but today Mané and I may have played excellently up front, but I think the team was more important.”

The 5-time Balon d’Or winner, who joined the Saudi Pro League in January after leaving Manchester United, expressed delight with the reception he’s gotten in the Arab nation since his move and is confident about the League’s growth.

“Playing here in Saudi Arabia, people receive me very well.,” the 38-year-old said. “The football is getting better and better players of a lot of quality over here, and that’s been there for some time now.

“This league will be among the toughest leagues in the world step by step. I think that the path that is being taken is good, and I am pleased to have been received well in all states here in Saudi Arabia.”

Al-Nassr are 10th in the 18-team league after three games.