Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has shared how much it meant to him to go up against Cristiano Ronaldo during Al Kholood’s clash with Al Nassr earlier this month – www.isagoal.com reports.
The Nigerian defender locked horns with Ronaldo on September 14 at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, where Al Nassr ran out 2-0 winners.
It was the second time Troost-Ekong had come face-to-face with the Portuguese superstar in the Saudi Pro League.
Although Al Kholood kept the home side quiet in the opening half, Sadio Mane and Inigo Martinez struck after the break to secure victory for Al Nassr.
Troost-Ekong’s individual numbers were respectable, with 12 clearances, one block, and an interception, earning him a 6.3 rating from Sofascore.
Speaking afterward, the 30-year-old described the meeting as a special moment, saying: “Playing against Ronaldo’s Al Nassr was something the team and I embraced by going toe-to-toe with one of the league’s giants.”
He added: “I’ve faced him before in England and Italy, and it’s always an honor to go up against one of the game’s greatest players.”
The Super Eagles skipper revealed that one reason he moved to Saudi Arabia was the chance to share the pitch with world-class talents like Ronaldo, Joao Felix, and Kingsley Coman.
He admitted that defending against attackers of that level gives him pride and drives him to perform at his best.
Al Kholood currently sit eighth in the Saudi Pro League table with six points from four matches, and Troost-Ekong believes the team can climb higher as the season unfolds.
