Cristiano Ronaldo left out of Saudi League team of the season as Man Utd flop gets in

The Saudi Pro League team of the season has been announced - and there was no room for Cristiano Ronaldo, with Odion Ighalo selected ahead of the ex-Manchester United star

Posted Saturday, June 10, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk

Cristiano Ronaldo has been snubbed by the Saudi Pro League team of the season

Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of the Saudi Pro League team of the season - despite the ex-Manchester United star netting 14 goals in 16 games.

The superstar was passed over in favour of Odion Ighalo, who flopped during his spell at Old Trafford. Ighalo ended the season as the Saudi Pro League's top goalscorer - notching 19 times throughout the season.

Ighalo was flanked by Feras Albrikan and Mourad Batna, leaving no room for the Portuguese superstar in the line-up. Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January, after a fallout at the Red Devils led to a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.

Erik ten Hag and Ronaldo came to the conclusion he would leave the club after the World Cup. While Ronaldo might have missed out on the squad, two of his Al-Nassr teammates were named in the squad: Luis Gustavo and Ghislain Konan.

Ronaldo won't be the only superstar in the Middle East soon as Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante are both set to move to Saudi Arabia. However, Lionel Messi won't be joining them, with the Argentine opting for the MLS over Saudi Arabia.

Reports had suggested Ronaldo wanted to leave Saudi Arabia, but he dismissed those claims: "I am happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here.

Odion Ighalo was selected ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo

"And in my opinion if they continue to do the work that they want to do here, for the next five years, I think the Saudi league can be a top five league in the world.

"I will be part of your world, your culture, I will be here, I hope I make the people enjoy through my games, my performance, and to win things, but again, thank you for welcoming me, and I will try to give my best during the time that I will be here."