On Friday, Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr made an announcement on social media that sent shockwaves throughout the football world: Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest players of all time, had joined their team. In a tweet featuring a picture of Ronaldo holding up a yellow No. 7 Al Nassr jersey, the club wrote: “History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFC.” While the terms of the deal were not disclosed by Ronaldo’s representative, it is clear that this move is a significant one for both the player and the club.
Ronaldo, who is 37 years old, became a free agent last month after his high-profile departure from Manchester United. As a result, he did not have to wait for the January transfer window to open in order to sign a new contract. There had been speculation for weeks that Ronaldo was close to joining a club in Saudi Arabia, a rumor he had previously denied. However, with this official announcement, it is clear that the move to Al Nassr is a reality.
While Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United was not exactly amicable, it was not entirely surprising either. During an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV that was released just before the start of the World Cup, Ronaldo revealed his feelings of betrayal by the club and a lack of respect for manager Erik ten Hag. In this season’s Premier League, Ronaldo scored just once in 10 appearances, mostly coming on as a substitute. In October, he even refused to come on the pitch against Tottenham Hotspur, instead walking down the tunnel with minutes of the match still remaining.
Despite this disappointment, Ronaldo’s legacy at Manchester United is undeniable. When he first joined the club in 2003, he transformed from a skilled winger into one of the best players in the world. During his first stint at Old Trafford, Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League, and the first of his five Ballon d’Or crowns. He then moved to Real Madrid in 2009, where he continued to dominate on the pitch.
Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United from Juventus last year was met with much excitement by the club’s supporters. However, his second period at Old Trafford was not as successful as his first, as the team ended the season without any trophies. Despite this, Ronaldo had a strong showing at the 2022 Qatar World Cup with Portugal, becoming the first man to score in five different World Cups.
Now, Ronaldo has a new challenge ahead of him with Al Nassr. While it is not yet clear how he will fit into the team’s tactics and strategy, it is certain that his presence will bring a level of excitement and inspiration to the club, the league, and the entire nation. As the club tweeted: “Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFC.”
