- Shamser Khalid
Video of Saudi Arabian Fans Welcoming Cristiano Ronaldo Goes Viral
As of Friday, Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a 2.5-year contract with Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr. The player pocketed more than 200 million euros ($213m), becoming the highest-paid player in football history and will be signed with Al Nassr until June 2025.
When the news was announced, Saudi Arabia fans were eager to show support. During the Al-Nassr VS, Al-Khaleej clash on Saturday, the Al-Nassr supporters were heard chanting Ronaldo and his iconic ‘Siuuu’ in unison during the seventh minute of the match.
The moment was caught on video and quickly became viral on social media. Reportedly, Portuguese flags were also visible in the crowd at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium.
Following the match, Al Nassr fans flocked to buy replica shirts with Ronaldo number 7 on the back.
According to officials, Ronaldo will appear at Al Nassr’s 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh at 16:00 GMT on Tuesday.
Additionally, Ronaldo will also be taking up an ambassadorial role upon signing the contract. Reports say that part of his role as an ambassador will be to help Saudi Arabia's joint bid with Egypt and Greece to host the 2030 World Cup.
Al Nassr, the nine-time Saudi league champions, has called Ronaldo’s signing “more than history in the making”, claiming he will inspire the rest of the league and even the country.
Recently, it was reported that the player had arrived in Riyadh ahead of his grand unveiling on Monday. So far, it’s reported that Ronaldo is staying at a luxury hotel in the city with a large entourage.
According to an official, “He brought a big team of assistants and even a private security firm.”
Other foreign players that will be in the Al-Nassr squad include Cameroon's World Cup hero Vincent Aboubakar and Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina.
While it is not confirmed, there is a chance that the club is also planning to bring in Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, Ronaldo's former Real Madrid.
Before Ronaldo signed with Al-Nassr, the player was a free agent, having been released by Manchester United following his explosive interview with British journalist Piers Morgan.
During the interview, Ronaldo slammed current United boss Erik ten Hag and the club for remaining the way he had left in 2009 to join the Spanish giants.
In the aftermath of this interview, the Portuguese footballer was often on the bench in the FIFA World Cup 2022. Ronaldo was last seen in the second half of the quarterfinal tie against resilient Morocco. Unfortunately, Portugal ended up losing 1-0. Before the team’s loss, Ronaldo became the first man to score at five World Cups with his penalty in the group-stage win over Ghana.
He has also won five Champions League titles as well as league titles in Italy with Juventus, in Spain with Real Madrid and in England with United.
