The Saudi Pro League gathered the spotlight when Cristiano Ronaldo announced his shocking move to Al Nassr during the winter transfer window. Despite having several European options, the Portuguese superstar chose to sign the Saudi club’s lucrative offer. The arrival of the 38-year-old has proved to be the catalyst for other high-profile players like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Neves to grace the Gulf nation.
Recently, the Portuguese captain publicly spoke about the growing appeal of the Saudi League, despite those comments, one of his ex-Juventus teammates Juan Cuadrado is set to snub a lucrative offer from a Saudi club and has his sights on joining the Champions League finalists, Inter Milan.
Ronaldo’s Juventus teammate Juan Cuadrado joins Inter Milan for free
In 2015, the Columbian international joined the Italian giants from Chelsea. After a loan spell of two years, the Italian club announced the permanent signing of the Columbian international for a preset price of $22 million. Following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo to the city of Turin, Juan Cuadrado had to give up his number 7 shirt to the Portuguese magnifico. During his 8-year stint at the Allianz Stadium, the 35-year-old played 314 matches, scoring 26 goals and providing 65 assists.
Juan Cuadrado will undergo medical tests as new Inter player today. He's joining the club on a one-year deal; NO option for further season. ⚫️🔵
Cuadrado has rejected €8m salary per season proposal from Saudi as he wanted Inter move. pic.twitter.com/qb7tRBkdX1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 18, 2023
After finishing seventh in Serie A, Juan Cuadrado has decided to part ways with the Italian giants. Renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that upon the end of his Juventus contract, the Columbian international has agreed to join their Italian rivals, Inter Milan. The 35-year-old has agreed on a contract of one year, without any further extension options.
Cuadrado jokingly claimed Cristiano Ronaldo did not want him at Al-Nassr
During their time at Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo and Juan Cuadrado played together in 94 matches across various competitions and combined to score ten goals. After departing the Italian giants as a free agent, the Columbian received several lucrative deals, including a $9 million offer from a Saudi club. However, the 35-year-old is determined to compete on the European stage and talking about the same, Cuadrado said “At this moment, I still have the passion, and I like to compete.”
During a recent interview, the Columbian superstar jokingly said that he would not consider offers from the Saudi club as Cristiano Ronaldo does not want him to join. Talking about this, he said “Besides, Ronaldo is down there, and he doesn’t want me! I am very relaxed, thinking of what is best, asking God for help with these decisions.” Clarifying about his future, he added “My agent Andrey Martinez was in Europe and has just arrived to talk to me about various situations. There are options, and we’ll analyze which is the best.”
Just hours after Cristiano Ronaldo reiterated the potential of the Saudi Pro League, one of his former teammates has snubbed a lucrative offer to move to the Gulf nation. With already numerous players from various leagues of Europe making their way to Saudi Arabia, can it prove to be a promised land for high-profile players? Let us know your thoughts.
