First look at Cristiano Ronaldo in Al Nassr kit as player unveiled in front of packed crowd in Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo was met by thousands of adoring fans at his official unveiling at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo arrived at the stadium on Tuesday evening and was immediately taken to a press conference with Al Nassr President Musalli Al-Muammar and first team coach Rudi Garcia.
Speaking of his ambition to inspire a future generation of players in Saudi Arabia, the Portugal star revealed he had had offers from Europe, South America and the US.
Cristiano Ronaldo said: “I had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs, in Brazil, in Australia, US, even in Portugal there is many clubs who tried to sign me, but I gave my word to this club.
“Not only to develop the football but other parts of the country.
“For me it’s a good challenge. I know what I want, I know what I don’t want. For me it’s a good chance to help with my knowledge and experience to grow many important points.
“I want to give a different vision of the country, of the football, of the perspective of everybody. This is why I’m here and why I took this opportunity.”
Watch official Ronaldo unveiling
His public arrival took place at a special event in front of Al Nassr supporters at the team’s 25,000-seater Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh.
After the press conference Cristiano Ronaldo headed to the changing room to meet his new teammates and get changed before heading out onto the pitch.
He was seen shaking hands with the squad after getting changed into the kit and was relaxed, laughing and joking with new colleagues.
Ronaldo arrived at the stadium in a crisp grey suit and answered questions before changing into Al Nassr’s distinctive yellow and blue kit.
Tickets for the official unveiling only went on sale the day before and were SR15 ($4) with all revenue generated donated to Ehsan, the national platform for charitable work in the Kingdom.
The CR7 effect has already had an instant impact on Al Nassr, at least in terms of off-field activity.
Al Nassr has seen a near ten-fold increase in the number of Instagram followers it has.
Before the former Man Utd and Real Madrid star joined, the Saudi club had around 850,000 followers. At the time of writing this number has rocketed to 7.9m and is increasing by the hour.
Ronaldo himself is the most followed person on the social media platform, with more than 528m followers, many of whom are now following Al Nassr as well.
Before even kicking a ball in the colours of Al Nassr Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a move to Newcastle United.
Spanish sports daily Marca is reporting that the Portugal star has a clause in his huge contract which will allow him to join Premier League side Newcastle United if they qualify for the Champions League.
Newcastle United are owned by Saudi Arabia’s PIF.
Arabian Business is to appoint a full time dedicated Ronaldo correspondent.
Applications are invited from reporters in the region, with the position based full time in Riyadh.
Matthew Amlot, Managing Editor of Arabian Business, said: “Ronaldo is the biggest star and the biggest story on the planet.
“It is an industry of its own, and as such it deserves its own full time correspondent. His move to Saudi Arabia keeps Arab soccer firmly on the global stage, and the successful applicant will play a pivotal part in this unfolding story.”
Ronaldo joins Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo will earn $214m per year in a contract that will run until June 2025. It is the highest salary ever paid to a professional footballer and will include off-field promotional activity as well as playing arrangements.
Ronaldo arrived with his family on Monday, January 2 and was greeted by fans at the airport.
Before the official unveiling at Mrsool Park he completed a medical with Al Nassr staff.
