Lahore: Former goalkeeper of Saudi football club Al-Nassr, Waleed Abdullah, has made a significant revelation, stating that globally renowned Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is deeply interested in Islamic teachings and Saudi Arabian culture, and may potentially consider embracing Islam.
During a TV show, Waleed Abdullah mentioned that Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr, has shown interest in Islam on several occasions. He shared that he discussed the matter with Ronaldo, who described the teachings of Islam as very inspiring.
Waleed further revealed that during training sessions, Ronaldo personally requested the coach to pause the session during the call to prayer (Adhan) so his teammates could perform their prayers.
He also recalled that in May 2023, after scoring a goal for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo performed a prostration (Sajdah) on the field, prompting his teammates to chant “Allahu Akbar.”
According to Waleed, Ronaldo is not only observing Islamic traditions closely but also encouraging players to value prayers and follow Islamic principles.
He added that whether Ronaldo embraces Islam or not, his dedication and discipline are what have brought him to where he is today. Everyone who visits Saudi Arabia is inspired by Ronaldo’s character.
It is worth mentioning that in January last year, Cristiano Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr, with a remuneration of $213 million.
During Ronaldo’s arrival in Saudi Arabia, a video of him greeting with “Assalamu Alaikum” went viral, surprising people worldwide.
