85 and Counting: Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr Success and the Real Reasons He Left Madrid

The Portuguese player never tires of scoring goals and is getting closer and closer to reaching 1,000 in his career. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 1-0 in the 18th round of the Saudi Arabian League against Al-Raed on Thursday, bringing his tally to 21 this season and 85 in total with Al Nassr. This comes just in the middle of an interview with Spaniard Edu Aguirre, in which he revealed why he left Real Madrid. The premiere of the interview will be on Monday, February 3.

In 2018, one of the most significant transfers in football history took place when Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid after a nine-year tenure with the club. His departure stunned both fans and analysts around the world, as he had cemented his status as one of the greatest players in football history, winning numerous trophies and breaking countless records during his time at Madrid. However, despite his undeniable success, Ronaldo chose to leave the club and join Juventus in the summer of 2018. There have been several theories and speculations regarding the reasons for his decision, and while some are based on confirmed reports, others remain more speculative.

One of the most frequently mentioned reasons for Ronaldo’s exit is his strained relationship with the club's president, Florentino Pérez. Reports suggest that Ronaldo felt undervalued by Pérez and the club’s management. Despite being the team's star player and a major reason for Real Madrid’s success during the 2010s, Ronaldo believed that he deserved a higher salary, comparable to that of other top players in Europe. There was also frustration with his contract negotiations, as he felt that his contribution to the club warranted a more substantial financial commitment. These feelings may have played a key role in his decision to seek a move elsewhere.

Another important factor in Ronaldo's departure was the desire for a new challenge. By the time he left Madrid, Ronaldo had won everything there was to win with the club, including four Champions League titles. His individual accolades, such as five Ballon d'Or awards, were a testament to his remarkable achievements. After winning the 2018 Champions League with Real Madrid, Ronaldo expressed that he felt it was the right time for a new chapter in his career. Moving to Juventus provided him with an opportunity to prove himself in a different league, something that motivated him to accept the challenge of leading the Italian side to new successes.

Furthermore, there were hints that Ronaldo may have felt that his time at Real Madrid was coming to an end due to the changing dynamics within the team. Under manager Zinedine Zidane, the team had achieved great success, but after Zidane's departure in 2018, the club entered a period of transition. The arrival of new players and the departure of key figures such as Zidane created an environment where Ronaldo may have felt less confident about the future. This uncertainty could have contributed to his decision to leave Madrid and seek stability in a new environment at Juventus.

Additionally, Ronaldo’s relationship with the fans and media played a role in his departure. Although he was widely beloved by Real Madrid supporters, his personal and public life often made headlines, and the media scrutiny surrounding him was intense. In the aftermath of his move to Juventus, Ronaldo alluded to feeling unappreciated by certain factions of the media, which may have influenced his desire to leave Madrid. The overwhelming media attention that accompanied his time at Real Madrid sometimes seemed to weigh on the player, and the prospect of a fresh start away from the Spanish press could have been appealing to him.

Finally, the financial package offered by Juventus also played a crucial role in Ronaldo’s decision. The Italian club offered a lucrative contract, and the opportunity to play in Italy, a country with a rich footballing history, presented an attractive option for Ronaldo as he sought to secure his legacy as one of the most accomplished players of his generation. Juventus was willing to invest in Ronaldo not only as a player but as a global brand, offering him the platform to expand his presence in the Italian market and beyond.

In conclusion, the reasons behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Real Madrid in 2018 are multifaceted. His strained relationship with club management, the desire for a new challenge, uncertainty surrounding the team’s future, media pressure, and the financial offer from Juventus all played a role in his decision. Regardless of the reasons, Ronaldo’s departure marked the end of an era for Real Madrid, and his legacy at the club remains one of the most remarkable in football history.