Oh dear
Cristiano Ronaldo’s start to life at Al Nassr got off to the worst possible start after he embarrassingly got the name of his new country wrong.
Ronaldo spoke to the media for the first time after being announced as an Al Nassr player about his move after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent in November.
“It’s not the end of my career to come to South Africa,” he said while sat in front of a backdrop proudly displaying a sign saying: “Saudi welcome to Arabia.”
Just Cristiano Ronaldo mistakenly calling Saudi Arabia South Africa in his first press conference since joining Al Nassr 😳 pic.twitter.com/5hvGlOcI16
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) January 4, 2023
While it was an obvious slip of the tongue, it hasn’t stopped people from pointing out the pretty obvious mistake.
One person wrote: “Ronaldo said he’s happy to come to South Africa. I know it’s a slip but still funny.”
Ronaldo said he’s happy to come to South Africa. I know it’s a slip but still funny 😂😂https://t.co/cfkWye38ln
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) January 3, 2023
Another tweeted: “Ronaldo in South Africa? Nobody would turn up to his unveiling.”
Ronaldo in South Africa? Nobody would turn up to his unveiling
— Salim Masoud Said (@salimosaid) January 4, 2023
The 37-year-old also said that the time was right to move on and find a new challenge after a hugely successful career where he had won pretty much everything there is to win.
“In Europe, my work is done. I’ve won everything. I’ve played in the most important clubs in Europe. And now for me is a new challenge,” he said.
After the conference Ronaldo was unveiled to the thousands of fans who visited to see one of football’s greatest in person for the first time however they will have to wait for the number seven to make his debut.
Despite reports suggesting he could make his debut on Thursday against Al Ta’ee, the Portugal international won’t be allowed to play as a result of a suspension he is currently serving.
Ronaldo was given a two-game ban after he was caught on film slapping a phone out of the hand of an Everton fan during a game at Goodison Park last season.
Related links:
- ‘Don’t forget that’ – Cristiano Ronaldo eager to remind us all after his Al-Nassr unveiling
- Al Nassr fans sing Cristiano Ronaldo chant in seventh minute of game
- Cristiano Ronaldo: The sad decline of a player that refused to listen to anyone but himself
