Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has warned Cristiano Ronaldo that the Saudi Pro League is "very complicated" ahead of his eagerly anticipated Al-Nassr debut.
Ronaldo, 37, signed a lucrative two-and-a-half-year deal with Al-Nassr on New Year's Eve after finalising an agreement to leave Manchester United six months early during the World Cup. However, the Portuguese superstar has yet to make his eagerly anticipated debut in the Saudi Pro League due to a ban he incurred during his second stint at United last year.
The veteran could make his Al-Nassr debut next Sunday when his new club, who are top of the Saudi Pro League, face Al-Ettifaq.
But ahead of his Al-Nassr bow, Xavi has warned Ronaldo that the Saudi Arabian league is a "challenge" and that anybody claiming the former Juventus and Real Madrid man has taken the easy option is wrong.
Xavi, who spent six years playing in Qatar as a player and a manager with Al Sadd after leaving Barcelona, said: "Ronaldo has signed for one of the best clubs in Saudi Arabia, but it's a challenge. This league is very complicated. I played against several of their teams when I coached Al Sadd. It will be a challenge."
It is estimated that Ronaldo will pocket £173million-a-year at his new club: a figure that makes him the highest-paid footballer in the world.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had been expected to pursue a move to a club that could offer Champions League football after cutting his second spell at Manchester United short. However, he made it clear that he had achieved everything he set out to in European football and that the Middle East represented a fresh challenge.
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While Ronaldo has yet to take to the field for Al-Nassr, he has already made a significant impact at the club, who have seen their social media following balloon from 800,000 to over 10 million.
Ronaldo's new boss, Rudi Garcia, has also been impressed with his new acquisition. The Frenchman said: "It's great. Great for us, for Al-Nassr. Great for Saudi Arabia.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is more than a player. He is one of the best players in the world. It's amazing how much it's put a spotlight on our club. Now, everyone knows where our club is around the world. We must have gone from 800,000 (followers) to 10million in a few hours, a few days, because of Cristiano's arrival."
Garcia added: "The greatest champions are the easiest to manage. He (Ronaldo) blended in with the squad. We saw him joking and laughing with pleasure with his new teammates. He was with us for the last game, even if he couldn't play. He was in the locker room, riding his bike."
