This is one of the most resounding transfers in history: Five-time Ballon d’Or Cristiano Ronaldo, now snubbed by the European greats at the age of 37, favored a golden exile by signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the player. Al Nassr FC.
Without a club since the termination of his contract with Manchester United at the end of November, “CR7”, who likes to show his jet-set life on social networks, could have chosen to end his career in the United States. But the Portuguese, admittedly attracted by a staggering €200m salary over two and a half years, got everyone wrong.
“I can’t wait to discover a new football tournament in another country,” he was quoted on his new club’s Twitter account, appearing in his new yellow and blue jersey stamped with his usual number 7.
It went on in a statement released by the communication agency representing the five-time Ballon d’Or and five-time UEFA Champions League winner.
His arrival in Saudi Arabia already highlights an unknown championship and above all a country that emphasizes sports, such as its neighbor Qatar, which has just organized the World Cup, to change its image and make people forget its shortcomings.Human rights.
“Write history”
“History is being written. Not only will this transition inspire our club to be more successful, it will inspire our league, our country and future generations of boys and girls to perform at their best.” Since July by the Frenchman Rudi Garcia.
The Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, welcomed him, saying, “He is one of the best players of all time, who confirmed that he is starting a new adventure in Saudi Arabia.”
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born on the small island of Madeira, in the Atlantic Ocean, has five Champions League titles (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), champion titles in Italy (2019, 2020) with Juventus Turin, in Spain ( 2012, 2017) with Real Madrid and England (2007, 2008, 2009) with Manchester United.
He is also the best scorer in the Champions League and in the history of the Portuguese selection, with whom he won the European Championship 2016.
Without self-criticism
But Ronaldo still had a disappointing experience at Manchester United, the club where he revealed himself on the international scene between 2003-2009 and where he returned in August 2021 after stints at Real Madrid (2009-18) and Juventus (2018-21).
Since last summer he had been looking to leave Manchester United, and the arrival of Erik ten Hag on the bench, which limited his playing time, has not helped matters.
In a bitter 90-minute television interview with journalist Piers Morgan in November, just before the World Cup, ‘CR7’ settled scores with Manchester United and attacked its coaches, past and present, captains and former teammates, without a shred of self. Criticism of its shortcomings.
Meanwhile, Manchester United announced the termination of his contract “by mutual agreement”.
During the last World Cup, he certainly made history by being the first player to score at least one goal in five different World Cup tournaments, but with the unusual position of a substitute he followed the end of his team’s journey, which was eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Then he attended the world coronation of his great Argentine rival Lionel Messi, who won the only title still missing from his list that Cristiano Ronaldo will probably never win.
