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Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at Al Nassr’s stadium ahead of official unveiling
Cristiano Ronaldo has been unveiled as an Al-Nassr player this afternoon following his free transfer to the Saudi Arabian club. Ronaldo’s two-year deal makes him the highest paid footballer in the world with Al-Nassr set to fork out around $200m in a mix of salary and commercial deals for the 37-year-old.
The former Manchester United, Juventus, and Real Madrid striker arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday evening and completed a medical earlier on Tuesday morning ahead of the presentation.
Presented in a glitzy ceremony the five-time Ballon d’Or winner declared “in Europe, my work is done” as he embraces a new frontier after a glittering career.
In his first public appearance at his new club’s stadium Mrsool Park, Ronaldo said: “I’m feeling very good. I’m so proud to make this big decision in my life.
“In Europe, my work is done; I won everything, I played at the most important clubs in Europe and for me now, it’s a new challenge. This is a great opportunity, not only in football but also to change the mentality of the new generation.
“I had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs in Brazil, in Australia, in the US and even in Portugal. Many clubs tried to sign me but I gave my word to this club to develop not only the football but other parts of this amazing country.”
Ronaldo unveiling presentation
The presentation of Cristiano Ronaldo’s unveiling is being streamed on YouTube and you can follow along with it right here:
The light show has become a laser show and Ronaldo’s face is being shown on huge television screens around the stadium.
Luke Baker3 January 2023 16:14
Picture time
Ronaldo now poses with a group of kids wearing Al-Nassr kits before signing a few footballs and booting them into the stands for the watching supporters.
He seems to be enjoying himself.
Michael Jones3 January 2023 17:24
Here comes Ronaldo
When asked how it feels to be at Al-Nassr Ronaldo replys: “For me it’s a pleasure to be here. It’s an honour. I will give my best to this club.
“People don’t know that this league is very competitive but I know that. I want to make people happy, that is my goal.”
Michael Jones3 January 2023 17:19
Here comes Ronaldo
The announcers on the Mrsool Park pitch say that it’s time for Cristiano Ronaldo to arrive. He steps out onto the pitch through a tunnel bedecked with CR7 branding and pictures of himself.
When he reaches the stage, the full-house of supporters all yell ‘Siuuu’ to him. They then start to chant his name.
Michael Jones3 January 2023 17:16
Ronaldo meets his new teammates
Cristiano Ronaldo is invited to speak and explains how he has watched Al-Nassr play and likes what he’s seen in terms of the connection between the players in the squad.
“I just want to say I feel very happy to be here. It’s a big challenge for me to change from Europe to Asia but I know the group and it’s fantastic,” he adds,
“I’m here to help the team to win stuff, to enjoy and give my best,”
Michael Jones3 January 2023 17:09
Ronaldo meets his new teammates
The cameras have moved inside the Al-Nassr changing room where Cristiano Ronaldo is shown meeting and greeting his new teammates.
There’s a jovial atmosphere within the group with coach Rudy Garcia laughing and joking before the club president gives another speech welcoming Ronaldo to the group.
Michael Jones3 January 2023 17:05
Cristiano Ronaldo timeline: From Piers Morgan interview to Man Utd exit and Saudi Arabia
The Portuguese superstar has joined the Saudi Arabian club after his second spell with Manchester United was ended by mutual consent in November after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan saw him criticise the club and manager Erik ten Hag.
The World Cup in Qatar saw him score in Portugal’s opening group game against Ghana, his 118th goal for his country, before being dropped from the starting XI for the knockout rounds, in which the team made a quarter-final exit with a 1-0 loss to Morocco.
A European champion with Portugal in 2016, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored more than 700 club goals in a career that has seen him lift the Champions League four times with Real Madrid and once, in his first spell from 2003 to 2009, with United, who he rejoined from Juventus in 2021.
Here’s how the saga played out:
Michael Jones3 January 2023 17:00
Ronaldo unveiling presentation
The press conference part of the unveiling is now done and Ronaldo heads off to the changing rooms. He’ll soon head out onto the pitch wearing the Al-Nassr kit for the first time and take in the applause from the waiting fans.
Michael Jones3 January 2023 16:47
Rudy Garcia ‘very happy’ to welcome Ronaldo
Al-Nassr head coach, Rudy Garcia, says that he is very happy that Cristiano Ronaldo has joined the club and hopes to work closely with him going forward.
“Normally after the game there is three or four journalists. Please, everyone is welcome to come after every game to speak about Cristiano’s goal,” Garcia joked.
“It’s an honour for me but also for Al-Nassr to welcome Cristiano. He is an example, everyone knows that.
“My objective for Cristiano is make him happy and I want him to enjoy playing with Al-Nassr and winning with Al-Nassr.”
Michael Jones3 January 2023 16:43
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