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Portuguese famous person Cristiano Ronaldo might be unveiled earlier than hundreds of followers at Saudi Arabian Al Nassr membership on Tuesday, a spokesman mentioned, after sealing a shock transfer estimated at greater than 200 million euros.
The 37-year-old nice, a five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, will arrive late on Monday together with his household along with media and technical employees, membership spokesman Al-Walid Al-Muhaidib instructed AFP.
Ronaldo, who left Manchester United beneath a cloud after slamming the membership in a TV interview, will seem at Al Nassr’s 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) on Tuesday, officers mentioned.
The newest, and probably ultimate, chapter in an illustrious profession comes weeks after Portugal’s quarter-final exit from the World Cup in neighbouring Qatar, the place his nice rival Lionel Messi lifted the trophy with Argentina.
Ronaldo’s signing till June 2025 is simply the most recent foray into top-level sports activities by oil-rich Saudi, which has moved into Formula One, boxing and golf and snapped up English membership Newcastle United.
Critics have dubbed the technique “sportswashing” — an try by the conservative nation to distract consideration from its human rights report.
Al Nassr is anticipating a full stadium for the revealing, in keeping with one official who didn’t need to be named as a result of he was not authorised to talk to media.
Ronaldo is by far the most important star to play in Saudi Arabia, though different heavyweights together with George Weah, Pep Guardiola and Xavi additionally had stints within the rich Gulf within the twilight of their careers.
Al Nassr, the nine-time Saudi league champions, have known as Ronaldo’s signing “more than history in the making”, claiming he’ll encourage the remainder of the league and even the nation.
In a tweet, Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal pledged to “support the rest of our clubs for quality deals with international stars soon”.
United terminated Ronaldo’s contract in the course of the World Cup after an explosive interview the place he mentioned he felt “betrayed” by the membership and had no respect for coach Erik ten Hag.
The Portuguese ahead has lengthy been one of many top-paid gamers in soccer, incomes a reported wage of 31 million euros at Juventus earlier than taking a pay-cut to rejoin United.
Ronaldo has gained 5 Champions League titles (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), league titles in Italy (2019, 2020) with Juventus, in Spain (2012, 2017) with Real Madrid and in England (2007, 2008, 2009) with United.
He can be the highest scorer within the Champions League and with the Portuguese nationwide workforce, with whom he gained Euro 2016.
In Qatar, he turned the primary man to attain at 5 World Cups together with his penalty within the group-stage win over Ghana.