Ronaldo Set For Grand Unveiling After Shock Of Saudi Move

Portugese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will be unveiled before thousands of fans at Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr club on Tuesday, a spokesman said, after sealing a shock move estimated at more than 200 million euros.

The 37-year-old great, a five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, will arrive late on Monday with his family together with media and technical staff, club spokesman Al-Walid Al-Muhaidib told AFP.

Ronaldo, who left Manchester United under a cloud after slamming the club in a TV interview, will appear at Al Nassr’s 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh at 7: 00 pm (1600 GMT) on Tuesday, officials said.

The latest, and possibly final, chapter in an illustrious career comes weeks after Portugal’s quarter-final exit from the World Cup in neighbouring Qatar, where his great rival Lionel Messi lifted the trophy with Argentina.

Ronaldo’s signing until June 2025 is just the latest foray into top-level sports by oil-rich Saudi, which has moved into Formula One, boxing and golf and snapped up English club Newcastle United. Critics refer to this strategy as “sportwashing.” This is an attempt by a conservative country to divert attention from its human rights record.

Al-Nasr expects a packed stadium for the unveiling, according to sources who declined to name him as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Ronaldo is the biggest star to play in Saudi Arabia, but other heavyweights such as George Weah, Pep Guardiola and Xavi also made stints in the wealthy Gulf during the twilight of their careers.

Al Nasr, nine-time Saudi league champions, called the acquisition of Ronaldo “more than history” and insisted he would inspire the rest of the league and even the country.

Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal tweeted that he would soon support other clubs for quality deals with international stars. United terminated Ronaldo’s contract during the World Cup after an explosive interview in which he said he felt ‘betrayed’ by the club and had no respect for manager Eric ten Hug.

The Portuguese striker was one of football’s highest-paid players at Juventus before returning to United, where he earned an annual salary of €31 million.

Ronaldo has won his five Champions League titles (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), Italy with Juventus (2019, 2020), Spain with Real Madrid (2012, 2017) and England (2007, 2008, 2009). won the league title. . ) won ) with United.

He is also the top scorer in his league of Champions and the Portuguese national team that won the Euros in 2016.

In Qatar, he became the first man to score a goal from a penalty in the group stage of their five World Cup wins over Ghana.