The Portuguese star, five times Ballon d’Or, left Manchester United after having a meeting with the coach. Now, he landed in Saudi Arabia
For iProfessional
04/01/2023 – 8:56 p.m.
The Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo was officially presented as new footballer of Al Nassr of Saudi Arabiain an event that had thousands of fans who attended Marsol Park.
However, the Portuguese star made an unusual mistake at the time of his official presentation in Riyadh on Tuesday. At the time, he said he had arrived “in South Africa” instead of saying he was in Saudi Arabia.
Perhaps it was due to disorientation or the commotion caused by his arrival at his new club. The reality is that he flew to Saudi Arabia on Monday night, passed a medical the next morning and was then greeted by thousands of fans at what will be his new stadium, Mrsool Park.
“For me, coming to South Africa is not the end of my career.“, said Cristiano Ronaldo during a press conference, adding: “I don’t really care what people say. I made my decision and I have the responsibility to change it, but for me I am very, very happy here.”
“It’s not the end of my career to come to South Africa” In his presentation at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo confused the country to which his new team belongs.https://t.co/UgSv4IW2UV pic.twitter.com/h3pDeOO3rZ
– Short ???? (@somoscorta) January 3, 2023
“I want to give a different vision of this country and its football. That’s why I took advantage of this opportunity,” he said. “I know the league is very competitive. People don’t know it, but I do because I saw a lot of games,” added the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus striker.
Thousands of fans welcomed the Portuguese star
As for his presentation in the stadium, it began with a musical show and a light show, with the stands practically full by Saudi fans who chanted the name of their new star between flags and scarves with his last name and his historic number seven.
Through the official transmission that captured the arrival of the Portuguese star at the stadium from a drone. The Portuguese got out of a luxurious white car while those present shouted the characteristic “Siu” that he popularized with his goals.
After his brand new entrance to the enclosure, Ronaldo walked through the interior of the stadium while greeting everyone he saw passing by and finally he arrived at the press conference room to give his first statements as a new Al Nassr footballer.
“I am very proud to be here. Very proud to have made this great decision in my career. This represents a new challenge. My family has always supported me, especially my children,” the 37-year-old striker began.
“It is a great opportunity not only for football but to change the mentality of my generation. I want to give a new perspective on this country and on this football. I know what I want, with my experience I will be able to contribute a lot to this club”, he explained about his decision to arrive at soccer in Saudi Arabia.
As for his presentation at the stadium, he began with a musical show and a light show
Along the same lines, he added: “Many clubs from Australia, the United States, Portugal tried to sign me. My work in Europe is done, I am proud of a new challenge. It is a challenge, not only football, to sign for Al Nassr“.
“I’ve seen a lot of games in this league and even if people don’t know it, it’s very competitive. If the coach decides, I can play in two days. I don’t care what people say. Today football has evolved and it’s very competitive,” he added.
“I am a unique player. I have broken all the records in Europe and now I want to do it here. It is a unique contract because I am a unique player. The only thing I want is to play and enjoy. It is not the end of my career”, attacked the Portuguese after criticism for his new destination in which he will earn a figure close to 200 million euros per year.
After their first words as Al Nassr footballers, it was the club’s president, Prince Faisal Bin Turki, who took the microphone to welcome them. Then it was the turn of his new coach, the Frenchman Rudi García.
“I’m very happy to have him. My goal with Cristiano is to make him happy and to enjoy Al Nassr’s game. I’m delighted to have a player like him. We’re here to win, nothing more. We’ll have time to talk, now what’s up is train and win”, remarked García.
