Nacho rejects Ronaldo's advice on Saudi

Former Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez has revealed he turned down advice from Cristiano Ronaldo to sign a longer contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah. The 36-year-old Spaniard recently extended his stay by just one year, a decision he discussed with his former teammate.

Nacho explained his cautious approach in an interview with El Larguero. He said he wants to retire while still in good physical condition and does not believe he can match Ronaldo's longevity. The Al-Nassr forward had questioned why Nacho did not commit to a more extended deal.

"No, no, no. I don't have that kind of strength," Nacho said. "What Cristiano does is out of this world; it's crazy to reach that age still competing." He recounted a specific conversation with Ronaldo from last year. I told him I'd renewed for another year, and he asked me why I hadn't signed more.

The pair were teammates at Real Madrid for over seven years, sharing the pitch 117 times. Ronaldo moved to the Saudi Pro League in 2023, with Nacho joining Al Qadsiah the following year. Nacho's current contract is now set to expire in 2027.

Defending the Saudi Pro League

In the same interview, Nacho dismissed stereotypes about the quality of football in Saudi Arabia. He backed Ronaldo's previous assessments of the league's competitiveness, stating the standard has improved significantly since his arrival.

I was surprised when I arrived, and it gets better every year, Nacho said. All the teams strengthen their squads. There are star signings who have played for very good teams in Europe. People would be surprised. He challenged the common perception of the league. When you say Saudi League, your first thought is that there's no competition, but I can assure you that you don't come here on vacation.

Ronaldo has been a vocal advocate for the Saudi top flight since his move. In 2024, he claimed it was better than France's Ligue 1. He repeated that view in 2025, arguing Paris Saint-Germain were the only top team in the French division.

League Rankings Context

Despite the endorsements from high-profile players, official rankings present a different picture. According to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) 2025 Strongest League of the World Report, the Saudi Pro League and Ligue 1 are ranked as follows:

Nacho maintains a strong relationship with Ronaldo despite living in different Saudi cities. He described the thrill of seeing him on the pitch again.