Cristiano Ronaldo LIVE: Star reveals offers from Europe as he’s unveiled by Al-Nassr
‘My work in Europe is done’ says the former Manchester United forward after joining the Saudi Arabian club on a free transfer
Cristiano Ronaldo has been unveiled as an Al-Nassr player this afternoon following his free transfer to the Saudi Arabian club. Ronaldo’s two-year deal makes him the highest paid footballer in the world with Al-Nassr set to fork out around $200m in a mix of salary and commercial deals for the 37-year-old.
The former Manchester United, Juventus, and Real Madrid striker arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday evening and completed a medical earlier on Tuesday morning ahead of the presentation.
Presented in a glitzy ceremony the five-time Ballon d’Or winner declared “in Europe, my work is done” as he embraces a new frontier after a glittering career.
In his first public appearance at his new club’s stadium Mrsool Park, Ronaldo said: “I’m feeling very good. I’m so proud to make this big decision in my life.
“In Europe, my work is done; I won everything, I played at the most important clubs in Europe and for me now, it’s a new challenge. This is a great opportunity, not only in football but also to change the mentality of the new generation.
“I had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs in Brazil, in Australia, in the US and even in Portugal. Many clubs tried to sign me but I gave my word to this club to develop not only the football but other parts of this amazing country.”
Ronaldo meets his new teammates
Cristiano Ronaldo is invited to speak and explains how he has watched Al-Nassr play and likes what he’s seen in terms of the connection between the players in the squad.
“I just want to say I feel very happy to be here. It’s a big challenge for me to change from Europe to Asia but I know the group and it’s fantastic,” he adds,
“I’m here to help the team to win stuff, to enjoy and give my best,”
Ronaldo meets his new teammates
The cameras have moved inside the Al-Nassr changing room where Cristiano Ronaldo is shown meeting and greeting his new teammates.
There’s a jovial atmosphere within the group with coach Rudy Garcia laughing and joking before the club president gives another speech welcoming Ronaldo to the group.
Cristiano Ronaldo timeline: From Piers Morgan interview to Man Utd exit and Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be officially unveiled as an Al-Nassr player on Tuesday afternoon.
The Portuguese superstar has joined the Saudi Arabian club after his second spell with Manchester United was ended by mutual consent in November after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan saw him criticise the club and manager Erik ten Hag.
The World Cup in Qatar saw him score in Portugal’s opening group game against Ghana, his 118th goal for his country, before being dropped from the starting XI for the knockout rounds, in which the team made a quarter-final exit with a 1-0 loss to Morocco.
A European champion with Portugal in 2016, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored more than 700 club goals in a career that has seen him lift the Champions League four times with Real Madrid and once, in his first spell from 2003 to 2009, with United, who he rejoined from Juventus in 2021.
Here’s how the saga played out:
Cristiano Ronaldo timeline: From Piers Morgan interview to Saudi Arabia
The Portuguese superstar has joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr after his second spell with Manchester United was ended by mutual consent in November after an explosive interview
Ronaldo unveiling presentation
The press conference part of the unveiling is now done and Ronaldo heads off to the changing rooms. He’ll soon head out onto the pitch wearing the Al-Nassr kit for the first time and take in the applause from the waiting fans.
Rudy Garcia ‘very happy’ to welcome Ronaldo
Al-Nassr head coach, Rudy Garcia, says that he is very happy that Cristiano Ronaldo has joined the club and hopes to work closely with him going forward.
“Normally after the game there is three or four journalists. Please, everyone is welcome to come after every game to speak about Cristiano’s goal,” Garcia joked.
“It’s an honour for me but also for Al-Nassr to welcome Cristiano. He is an example, everyone knows that.
“My objective for Cristiano is make him happy and I want him to enjoy playing with Al-Nassr and winning with Al-Nassr.”
What does Ronaldo hope to achieve in Saudi Arabia?
“I come to be successful. I want to enjoy and play football.” he says, “I’m a unique player. I broke all the records in Europe and I want to break some here too.
“This contract is unique because I’m a unique player, so that’s normal.”
A new challenge
Cristiano Ronaldo seems keen to describe this move as a new challenge for him personally rather than the end of his career in the top tier of football.
“If you give the example of the World Cup, the only team that beat the champions [Argentina] is Saudi Arabia,” he says
“Many people speak and give their opinions but they don’t know much about football. All the teams are ready. You have many surprises, South Korea, the African teams, Costa Rica.
“I don’t care what people say. I know this league is competitive. I hope to play after tomorrow.”
‘My work in Europe is done'
Ronaldo explains that he had offers and opportunities to move anywhere in the World but says that his time in Europe is over.
“I am so proud at making this big decision in my life and my career. My work in Europe is done. I played for all the most important clubs.” he says,
“I had many opportunities in Europe. Many clubs in Brazil, Australia, in the US and even Portugal. For me this is a good chance with my knowledge and experience to grow very important clubs.”
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