Cristiano Ronaldo described himself as a “unique player” and insisted his profession was not over as he obtained a thunderous welcome at his new membership in Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese celebrity, 37, mentioned he had executed all he may in Europe and was hungry for a brand new problem as he was greeted by fireworks and deafening roars at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, with 5 Champions League titles to his identify, signed for an estimated 200 million euros to June 2025 not lengthy after his acrimonious break up 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’m really not worried about what people say,” Ronaldo mentioned.
“In Europe my work is done… I had many offers in Europe, many in Brazil, Australia, the US, even in Portugal,” he added.
“Many clubs tried to sign me but I gave my word to this club.”
A-League boss Danny Townsend confirmed again in November that he was doing all the things he may to try to lure Ronaldo down below.
“Obviously it’s a long shot but we’ve certainly got a compelling proposition for him here in Australia to consider,” Townsend advised native radio station SportsFM.
The packed, 25,000-capacity stadium erupted when Ronaldo, wearing Al Nassr’s yellow and blue equipment, walked on the pitch, saluting the gang as fireworks and floodlights flashed round him.
His girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, carrying the standard black abaya or all-covering gown worn by most Saudi ladies, adopted at a distance together with Ronaldo’s kids.
“I’m a unique player. It’s good to come here, I broke all the records there (in Europe) and I want to break a few records here,” Ronaldo mentioned earlier.
“I’m coming here 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 champions simply weeks after his departure from United following a TV interview the place he slammed the membership and coach Erik ten Hag.
Al Nassr, the nine-time Saudi league champions, symbolize a major drop in normal for the Portuguese ahead who spearheaded title-laden campaigns with United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Oil-rich monarchy Saudi Arabia, which has been snapping up sports activities belongings as a part of a drive to melt its austere picture, is usually accused of “sportswashing”, or utilizing sport to distract consideration from human rights controversies.
Ronaldo arrives simply weeks after the World Cup in neighbouring Qatar, and as Saudi Arabia considers a joint Asia-Africa-Europe bid to host soccer’s greatest event with Egypt and Greece.
Well earlier than his arrival, supporters carrying yellow “Ronaldo 7” flags and blue-and-yellow Al Nassr scarves turned up on the stadium, a few of them on the lookout for tickets.
Adam Seddik, an Al Ittihad fan from Jeddah, mentioned he drove 900 kilometres (560 miles) to Riyadh to witness the spectacle.
“His presence will elevate the Saudi league value and its viewership,” mentioned Seddik.
“He is the greatest player in the world.”
Excitement is at fever-pitch over the arrival of Ronaldo, the highest-profile participant to come back to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf or any nation within the Asian confederation.
Fans queued down the road to purchase Ronaldo’s Al Nassr shirt together with his trademark quantity seven, and Al Nassr’s Instagram web page gained thousands and thousands of recent followers after his signing was made public.
Ronaldo’s signing comes towards the backdrop of a Saudi push into sports activities together with golf, boxing, tennis and F1 in addition to soccer, following the takeover of English Premier League membership Newcastle United final 12 months.
Saudi Arabia, led by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — Ronaldo’s up to date at 37 — will host upcoming editions of the Asian Games and Asian Winter Games, in addition to soccer’s males’s and girls’s Asian Cups.
Originally printed as ‘My work is done’: Ronaldo drops trace on future, confirms Aussie affords in epic Saudi unveiling
