The Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in Riyadh on Monday to be presented, on Tuesday, to the fans of Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia, a club for which he signed with a multimillion-dollar financial agreement.
The five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, separated from Manchester United in full development of the 2022 World Cup, landed in the Saudi capital on Monday, according to information offered by state television. Al Ekhbariya.
Another source reported that Ronaldo and his entourage will temporarily stay at the Four Seasons Hotel, located in the center of Riyadh. “He came with a large group of attendees and even private security personnel“This source told the agency. AFP.
An important security device was also deployed around the Riyadh airport, with many patrol cars and control posts at the accesses.
The 37-year-old forward left Manchester through the back door, after an interview at the end of November in which he stated that he “no longer respects” his manager Erik Ten Hag, also attacking the club’s leaders.
In the World Cup in Qatar, he was eliminated in the quarterfinals with Portugal, defeated 1-0 by Morocco.
The signing of a world star, with a contract until 2025, is the latest episode in the efforts of the rich Saudi Arabia to position himself in high-level sport, after having received the F1the boxing or the Golfand buy the English club Newcastle. Some denounce a ‘sportswashing’ strategy, an attempt by the conservative regime to push criticism of its balance on human rights into the background.
In a tweet, Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz ben Turki Al-Faisal promised to “support other clubs in seeking quality contracts with international stars.”
‘CR7’ won five Champions Leagues (2008 with Manchester Utd2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 with Real Madrid), national titles in Italy (2019, 2020) with the Juventus, in Spain (2012, 2017) with Madrid and in England (2007, 2008, 2009) with United. With Portugalwon Euro-2016.
The Portuguese is also the top scorer of all time in the Champions League, with 140 celebrations. In Qatar, he became the first player to score in five consecutive World Cups.
