Ronaldo genuinely wants to convert to Islam, says former Al Nassr goalkeeper

Former Al-Nassr goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah revealed details suggesting that star Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo may be considering converting to Islam. In a TV appearance, Abdullah confirmed rumors that Ronaldo has shown interest in the religion, highlighting his respect for its practices and his adaptation to Saudi Arabian culture. "Ronaldo genuinely wants to convert to Islam. I spoke with him about it, and he expressed his interest. He has already prostrated on the field after scoring and always encourages his teammates to pray and follow Islamic practices," Abdullah said. Abdullah also mentioned that Ronaldo requests the coach to pause training when the call to prayer is heard, allowing his teammates time to pray during practice. "When the call to prayer rings out during training, Ronaldo asks the coach to stop the session until it’s over," he explained. The former Saudi international added that he became close to Ronaldo in the early stages of his time at the club, as the footballer was unfamiliar with the culture and the team, often asking Abdullah about various aspects. Abdullah also recounted the moment when Ronaldo prostrated on the field after scoring for Al-Nassr in May of the previous year, a gesture that quickly gained attention. "When Ronaldo prostrated after scoring, all the players shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ together," Abdullah recalled. He emphasized, however, that regardless of whether Ronaldo converts, his humility, discipline, and commitment as a player have led him to success.