Ivan Toney sends message to Cristiano Ronaldo over Saudi Pro League rivalry
Date: 2024-10-30
Ivan Toney says he is not in Saudi Arabia to idolise Cristiano Ronaldo but to beat him, as he eyes up a goal-scoring haul with Al Ahli.
The England international moved to the Saudi Pro League from Brentford over the summer, joining the likes of Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy at Al Ahli.
It has not been a brilliant start to the season for Toney’s team, with just three wins from their first eight league games, with the Englishman netting three goals in six league appearances.
He is aiming big, though, and intends to get the better of Al Nassr’s Ronaldo in terms of goal-scoring and in the league table.
‘I always set targets for myself and hopefully I can hit them,’ Toney told talkSPORT. ‘I know you’re probably going to ask me what my target is but it doesn’t come out. It only comes out when I hit it come the end of the season.
‘So, hopefully I can keep playing well and score goals to help the team and help to win the games.’
On Ronaldo, he said: ‘I don’t watch what other people are doing. Obviously we know Ronaldo is a top player but I’ll concentrate on myself and do what I can do best.
‘It’s all good coming up against these players, but we’re not here to idolise them, we’re here to beat them.’
Ronaldo’s 35 goals in the Saudi Pro League set the standard last season, while Al Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic is leading the way this campaign with 10 goals in just eight appearances already.
Toney hopes that his performances in Saudi Arabia will keep him in contention for forthcoming England squads, saying that he has not been told he will not be selected for the Three Lions since leaving the Premier League.
‘I’m only in control of what I can do on the pitch,’ he said. ‘If that’s the case, that they see me coming here is damaging my chances, then I can’t really change that.
‘But, all I can do is focus on myself and play well, and who knows what can happen.’
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