'It's for money' - Odion Ighalo slams Cristiano Ronaldo Saudi decision after Manchester United exit

Odion Ighalo has accused Cristiano Ronaldo of moving to Saudi Arabia 'for money' as the former Manchester United striker prepares for his first full season in the Middle East.

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr at the end of December following his explosive departure from United. The Portuguese forward held an interview with Piers Morgan in which he admitted he had no respect for manager Erik ten Hag, forcing the Dutchman to swing the axe in November.

The 38-year-old has consistently defended his decision to join Al-Nassr, claiming recently that he pioneered the decision that several high-profile players have now followed. He has also backed the league's competitiveness but Ighalo, who has been in Saudi Arabia for three seasons, insists there is only one reason for such a move.

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"When you are young, yes, you play for passion. Back then, you don't care about money. But at my age, I am in the final stretch of my career, I don't know if it will be one, two years or when God will tell it to stop," he told OmaSportsTV.

"I know it won't be more than three years. I've played for passion all my life, now it's for money. I'm not one of those players who come and say: 'I play for passion'. Brother, it's money. At the end of the day, it's money.

"Is Ronaldo still playing out of passion? Ronaldo has earned 100 times more than I have in my entire life and yet he went to Saudi Arabia. Did he do that out of passion? It's for money, bro."

Ronaldo was quick to defend his new league again recently when Lionel Messi