RIYADH: Only hours after Cristiano Ronaldo penned a two-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nasrcrowds flocked to a soccer package retailer in Riyadh to shop for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s new membership jersey.
Abdulmohsen al-Ayyban, 41, and his nine-year-old son, Nayefhad been amongst the ones queuing up at Al Nassr membership’s reliable package retailer on Saturday the place clerks the place busy urgent Ronaldo’s title onto T-shirts.
“We are witnessing a historic moment,” al-Ayyban advised AFP of the deal which he believes “will elevate the Saudi football league”.
Ronaldo on Friday signed for Al Nassr till June 2025 in a deal believed to be price greater than 200 million euros.
A large smile stretched throughout Nayef’s face as he proudly held his new jersey aloft.
For the younger Saudi, a dream has come true.
“I have always wanted Al Nassr to acquire the best player in the world,” he stated. “I will make sure to watch all his games at the stadium.”
Ronaldo, 37, is predicted to seem earlier than enthusiasts subsequent Thursday, an reliable from the Al Nassr membership advised AFP.
For Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo is the most recent high-priced carrying jewel obtained so as to add luster to their world symbol.
At house, the deal additional fueled nationwide fervour that spiked after the dominion defeated eventual winners Argentina within the early phases of the 2022 World Cup, a victory hailed as one of the vital biggest shocks within the event’s historical past.
An exceptional rush on the Al Nassr package retailer began once reviews of the deal had been leaked to the native press on Friday night time — hours earlier than the reliable announcement.
Abdulqader, the shop supervisor, stated queues snaked the entire manner outdoor the store and feature most effective grown since.
T-shirt shares have just about emptied, pushing consumers to usher in their very own to have the participant’s title revealed on them — a procedure which is able to take as much as two days.
“I have never seen anything like this in my life,” Abdulqader advised AFP.
Inside the shop, a festive temper prevailed, as Lebanese, Egyptian and Chinese nationals reinforced the huge choice of Saudis hoping to get their Ronaldo merch.
“I have been a fan of Ronaldo since I was a child and now the Saudi club I support has bought him… my joy is doubled,” stated Saudi college pupil Mohammad al-Johni, decked out within the Al Nassr membership’s reliable blouse. .
“I will be the first person attending his welcoming ceremony,” added the 23-year-old.
Rakan Mohd.a 21-year-old college pupil, echoed the thrill.
“The deal confirms the value of the Al Nassr club,” he stated. “Enthusiasm and expectations are high.”
On social media networks, Al Nassr’s channels noticed a big spice up.
Millions of recent customers adopted the membership’s Instagram web page, bringing the full tally to just about 4 million, up from round 800,000 previous to the announcement.
“The impact of the deal has already been felt, even before Ronaldo arrives in Saudi Arabia,” Ahmed Al-Zabani, a 19-year-old Saudi college pupil advised AFP.
“The impact will continue to grow in the days to come”.
Many Saudis took to social media to reward the transfer.
“The dream has become a reality,” learn an Instagram publish via a store printing Ronaldo T-shirts within the colours of the Al Nasser group.
The feedback briefly flooded in with consumers asking for shirts of their dimension.
“A picture for the history books,” wrote one Saudi person on Twitter, captioning a picture of Ronaldo retaining up his Al Nasser jersey.
Ronaldo heads to the Gulf after a 12 months that noticed him relegated to the bench for Portugal and reduce adrift via Manchester United.
United parted tactics with the Portuguese big name after the veteran ahead gave an explosive TV interview through which he stated he felt “betrayed” via the membership and had no admire for trainer Erik ten Hag.
United terminated his contract whilst Ronaldo was once with Portugal on the World Cup.
Abdulmohsen al-Ayyban, 41, and his nine-year-old son, Nayefhad been amongst the ones queuing up at Al Nassr membership’s reliable package retailer on Saturday the place clerks the place busy urgent Ronaldo’s title onto T-shirts.
“We are witnessing a historic moment,” al-Ayyban advised AFP of the deal which he believes “will elevate the Saudi football league”.
Ronaldo on Friday signed for Al Nassr till June 2025 in a deal believed to be price greater than 200 million euros.
A large smile stretched throughout Nayef’s face as he proudly held his new jersey aloft.
For the younger Saudi, a dream has come true.
“I have always wanted Al Nassr to acquire the best player in the world,” he stated. “I will make sure to watch all his games at the stadium.”
Ronaldo, 37, is predicted to seem earlier than enthusiasts subsequent Thursday, an reliable from the Al Nassr membership advised AFP.
For Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo is the most recent high-priced carrying jewel obtained so as to add luster to their world symbol.
At house, the deal additional fueled nationwide fervour that spiked after the dominion defeated eventual winners Argentina within the early phases of the 2022 World Cup, a victory hailed as one of the vital biggest shocks within the event’s historical past.
An exceptional rush on the Al Nassr package retailer began once reviews of the deal had been leaked to the native press on Friday night time — hours earlier than the reliable announcement.
Abdulqader, the shop supervisor, stated queues snaked the entire manner outdoor the store and feature most effective grown since.
T-shirt shares have just about emptied, pushing consumers to usher in their very own to have the participant’s title revealed on them — a procedure which is able to take as much as two days.
“I have never seen anything like this in my life,” Abdulqader advised AFP.
Inside the shop, a festive temper prevailed, as Lebanese, Egyptian and Chinese nationals reinforced the huge choice of Saudis hoping to get their Ronaldo merch.
“I have been a fan of Ronaldo since I was a child and now the Saudi club I support has bought him… my joy is doubled,” stated Saudi college pupil Mohammad al-Johni, decked out within the Al Nassr membership’s reliable blouse. .
“I will be the first person attending his welcoming ceremony,” added the 23-year-old.
Rakan Mohd.a 21-year-old college pupil, echoed the thrill.
“The deal confirms the value of the Al Nassr club,” he stated. “Enthusiasm and expectations are high.”
On social media networks, Al Nassr’s channels noticed a big spice up.
Millions of recent customers adopted the membership’s Instagram web page, bringing the full tally to just about 4 million, up from round 800,000 previous to the announcement.
“The impact of the deal has already been felt, even before Ronaldo arrives in Saudi Arabia,” Ahmed Al-Zabani, a 19-year-old Saudi college pupil advised AFP.
“The impact will continue to grow in the days to come”.
Many Saudis took to social media to reward the transfer.
“The dream has become a reality,” learn an Instagram publish via a store printing Ronaldo T-shirts within the colours of the Al Nasser group.
The feedback briefly flooded in with consumers asking for shirts of their dimension.
“A picture for the history books,” wrote one Saudi person on Twitter, captioning a picture of Ronaldo retaining up his Al Nasser jersey.
Ronaldo heads to the Gulf after a 12 months that noticed him relegated to the bench for Portugal and reduce adrift via Manchester United.
United parted tactics with the Portuguese big name after the veteran ahead gave an explosive TV interview through which he stated he felt “betrayed” via the membership and had no admire for trainer Erik ten Hag.
United terminated his contract whilst Ronaldo was once with Portugal on the World Cup.