Ighalo: Ex Man United Striker Hails Cristiano Ronaldo As GOAT, Insists He Will Score More Goals in Saudi

• Cristiano Ronaldo has come under scrutiny following his sub-par performances in his opening two games for Al-Nassr
• The 37-year-old has failed to find the back of the net in two competitive games since joining the Riyadh-based outift
• But former Watford and Man United forward Odion Ighalo believes Ronaldo will come good

Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has eulogized Cristiano Ronaldo, backing the Portuguese superstar to excel in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo has had a disappointing start to life in the gulf state following his blockbuster move to the Middle East, blanking in his opening two competitive games for Al-Nassr.

His recent no-show against Al-Ittihad resulted in a disappointing semifinal exit from the Saudi Super Cup, per ESPN.

This has drawn criticism from far and near with many suggesting Al-Nassr made the wrong choice of parting with Vincent Aboubakar to accommodate the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Yaya Toure's curse: What is it, the story behind it and is it true?

Football

However, former United striker Odion Ighalo believes Ronaldo will come good in his new adventure.

"Ronaldo is a legend. He is the best, for me, is the GOAT," the Nigeria international told Oma Sports TV as quoted by All football.

The 33-year-old Al-Hilal striker added: "I have too much respect for him, admiration for him."

"He is going to play for his own team and he will score goals and me, I am going to play for my own team and I will score goals,"

"So we will see how it goes. I wish him all the best in Al-Nassr, then I will do my job for Al-Hilal and we will see at the end of the season."

Nigerian coach defends Ronaldo

Video: Ronaldo appointed captain of Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal combined XI to face Messi's PSG

Football

Nigerian football coach Folabi Ojekunle has blasted critics who have been trolling Cristiano Ronaldo following Al-Nassr's defeat against Al-Ittihad in the Super Cup.

Ronaldo and his new teammates were on Thursday night, 26 January, sent out of the Saudi Super Cup in the semi-final after losing 3-1 against their opponents.

It was a tough game for Ronaldo as the former Manchester United star was unable to help his side record a win in the encounter.

Ronaldo's Al-Nassr suffer exit

Sports Brief earlier reported that Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a chastening defeat in his second competitive game for Al-Nassr.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward captained his new side for the second successive game; however, he ended up on the losing side.

Unfortunately, the 37-year-old's first silverware will be delayed following Al-Nassr's exit from the 2023 Saudi Super Cup, suffering a 3-1 loss against Al-Ittihad.