Not even played a game and he’s already made an impact
Cristiano Ronaldo is already making headlines at Al Nassr as fans began to chant his name during the seventh minute of their game against Al Khaleej.
Ronaldo joined the Saudi Pro league side on Friday on a reported deal worth £175m a year in which he will also take on an ambassadorial role to promote Saudi Arabia’s bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
Despite the eye-watering sum of money the 37-year-old is set to make, Ronaldo has insisted his move is solely for footballing reasons.
History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFC pic.twitter.com/oan7nu8NWC
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) December 30, 2022
“I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football. I feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia. Al Nassr’s vision is very inspiring and impressive.
“I look forward to a different league experience in a different country. I am excited to join my teammates as soon as possible.”
Following confirmation of his arrival, fans have been queuing round the block to get his name on the back of their shirts and are already serenading their marquee signing despite the wait for Ronaldo to make his debut.
Chants of ‘Ronaldo’ and ‘Siu’ echoed around the stadium for a full minute. Television cameras captured fans holding up yellow signs, the colour of the team’s jersey, with messages welcoming Ronaldo to the club written on them as the fever of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner arriving in the Middle East encapsulates the fanbase.
Al-Nassr fans chant Cristiano Ronaldo's “SIUUU” in the 7th minute of the match https://t.co/0tj30TjeFA
— All Things Cristiano (@CristianoTalk) December 31, 2022
Al Nassr won the game 1-0 after an early goal from Vincent Aboubakar at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium gave them a vital win to take them top of the table.
Related links:
- Rio Ferdinand defends Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabia move
- Cristiano Ronaldo: The sad decline of a player that refused to listen to anyone but himself
- Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo set to come up against each other once more
