The packed, 25,000-capacity stadium erupted when Cristiano Ronaldo, dressed in Al Nassr’s yellow and blue kit, walked on the pitch, saluting the crowd as fireworks and floodlights flashed around him
Cristiano Ronaldo described himself as a” unique player” and claimed his career wasn’t over as he entered a sonorous hello at his new club in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The Portuguese megastar, 37, said he’d done all he could in Europe and was empty for a new challenge as he was saluted by fireworks and blaring roars at Al Nassr‘s Mrsool Park colosseum. The five- time Ballond’Or winner, with five titleholders League titles to his name, inked for an estimated 200 million euros to June 2025 not long after his rancorous split with Manchester United.
“It’s not the end of my career to come to Saudi Arabia. This is why I change and, to be honest, I am really not upset about what people say,” Ronaldo said.
“In Europe my work is done. I had numerous offers in Europe, numerous in Brazil, Australia, the US, indeed in Portugal,” he added.” numerous clubs tried to subscribe me but I gave my word to this club.”
The packed,,000- capacity colosseum erupted when Ronaldo, dressed in Al Nassr’s unheroic and blue tackle, walked on the pitch, cheering the crowd as fireworks and floodlights flashed around him.
His gal Georgina Rodriguez, wearing the traditional black abaya or each- covering mask worn by utmost Saudi women, followed at a distance along with Ronaldo’s children.
“I am a unique player. It’s good to come then, I broke all the records there( in Europe) and I want to break a many records then,” Ronaldo said before.
“I am coming then to win, to play, to enjoy, to be part of the success of the country and culture of the country,” he added.
Ronaldo joins the nine- time Saudi titleholders just weeks after his departure from United following a television interview where he slammed the club and trainer Erik ten Hag.
Al Nassr, the nine- time Saudi league titleholders, represent a significant drop in standard for the Portuguese forward who commanded title- laden juggernauts with United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Oil painting-rich monarchy Saudi Arabia, which has been snapping up sports means as part of a drive to soften its austere image, is frequently indicted or using sport to distract attention from mortal rights difficulties.
Ronaldo arrives just weeks after the World Cup in Qatar, and as Saudi Arabia considers a common Asia- Africa- Europe shot to host football’s biggest event with Egypt and Greece.
Well before his appearance, sympathizers carrying unheroic” Ronaldo 7″ flags and blue- and- unheroic Al Nassr scarves turned up at the colosseum, some of them looking for tickets.
Adam Seddik, an Al Ittihad addict from Jeddah, said he drove 900 kilometres( 560 long hauls) to Riyadh to witness the spectacle.
“His presence will elevate the Saudi league value and its viewership,” said Seddik.
Excitement is at fever- pitch over the appearance of Ronaldo, the highest- profile player to come to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf or any country in the Asian confederation.
Suckers queued down the road to buy Ronaldo’s Al Nassr shirt with his trademark number seven, and Al Nassr’s Instagram runner gained millions of new followers after his signing was made public.
Ronaldo’s signing comes against the background of a Saudi drive into sports including golf, boxing, tennis and F1 as well as football, following the preemption of English Premier League club Newcastle United last time.
Saudi Arabia, led by de facto sovereign Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman– Ronaldo’s contemporary at 37– will host forthcoming editions of the Asian Games and Asian Winter Games, as well as football’s men’s and women’s Asian Mugs. Know More Breaking News….
