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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Portuguese GOAT starring in Saudi Arabia</li><li>Is granted permission to speak with players</li><li>Chasing down 1,000 career goals target</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Why 'legend' Cristiano Ronaldo gets special treatment at Al-Nassr - with Stefano Pioli explaining what makes CR7 different to AC Milan legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Saudi Pro League

Al Khaleej

Al Nassr FC

Champions League

AC Milan

Girona

<p>Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo completed a stunning move to the Middle East in 2023. He has registered 80 goals for Al-Nassr through 89 appearances, as he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-final-career-goals-man-utd-coach-cr7-objectives-lebron-james-target-involving-portuguese-goat-son/blt9b4b88b27269a562" target="_blank">chases down 1,000 efforts in total</a> over the course of a record-shattering career.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Ronaldo continues to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/how-cristiano-ronaldo-reached-pinnacle-ruthless-industry-eternal-rival-lionel-messi-more-talented/blt7c1b8b6dc87f5cbe" target="_blank">demand the highest standards of himself</a> at 39 years of age and remains a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-big-ego-greatest-role-model-football-history-world-cup-winning-midfielder-explains-huge-respect-al-nassr-superstar/bltba5fc38e02fd6a0d" target="_blank">source of inspiration</a> to those alongside him in the Saudi Pro League and millions of followers around the world. That standing means that CR7 is treated slightly differently by Pioli and his coaching team.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The Italian tactician has told <a href="https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/05-01-2025/pioli-il-milan-leao-l-addio-e-l-arabia-vi-dico-la-verita_preview.shtml?reason=unauthenticated&amp;origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazzetta.it%2FCalcio%2FSerie-A%2FMilan%2F05-01-2025%2Fpioli-il-milan-leao-l-addio-e-l-arabia-vi-dico-la-verita.shtml " target="_blank"><em>Gazzetta dello Sport</em></a> of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/great-champion-cristiano-ronaldo-retains-child-like-enthusiasm-39-al-nassr-boss-explains-longevity-portuguese-goat/bltee8ba4bd0e8651a6" target="_blank">working with the Portuguese GOAT</a>: "If I arrive half an hour early, he’s there 25 minutes early. He’s always the first to get on the bus. He’s a perfectionist who demands a lot from himself and from others. He lives for the team, he helps, he advises. Sometimes I let him talk to the players. I can’t treat him like the others, but he’s intelligent and he respects his role and mine."</p>

WHAT PIOLI SAID

<p>Ronaldo is not the first superstar that Pioli has worked with, having previously enjoyed Serie A title success alongside Ibrahimovic at AC Milan. Pioli added when asked what makes CR7 different to the enigmatic Swedish striker – who also played into his 40s: "They are different characters. Ibra was impetuous and had a dominant personality. Cristiano is a legend, he’s global, enormous. He has a thousand official goals in the back of his mind. He will score them, he’s not far off."</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Ronaldo will <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/more-goals-transfer-cristiano-ronaldo-back-to-work-2025-portuguese-superstar-al-nassr-contract-run-down/blt3f0d359c60e966e8" target="_blank">return to action with Al-Nassr after their winter break</a> when facing Al Akhdoud on Thursday. A <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-more-dreams-al-nassr-portugal-star-900th-career-goal-aged-39/bltb7aa635ded895fc4" target="_blank">decision on his long-term future</a> will need to be made at some stage as his lucrative contract is due to expire in the summer of 2025.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Why 'legend' Cristiano Ronaldo gets special treatment at Al-Nassr - with Stefano Pioli explaining what makes CR7 different to AC Milan legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic | Goal.com

Stefano Pioli has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo gets special treatment at Al-Nassr and what makes him different to AC Milan icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Why &apos;legend&apos; Cristiano Ronaldo gets special treatment at Al-Nassr - with Stefano Pioli explaining what makes CR7 different to AC Milan legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic