The 37-year-old, a five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, touched down within the capital past due on Monday, in line with Al Ekhbariya state-run TV, and is staying at a luxurious lodge along with his entourage.
“He brought a large team of assistants and even a private security firm,” an authentic advised AFP.
There are top safety features across the airport with many police vehicles and checkpoints.
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 most likely last, bankruptcy in an illustrious occupation comes weeks after Portugal’s quarter-final go out from the World Cup in neighboring Qatar, the place his nice rival Lionel Messi lifted the trophy with Argentina.
AFP Photo
Ronaldo’s signing till June 2025 is simply the most recent foray into top-level sports activities via the oil-rich Saudi, which has moved into Formula One, boxing and golfing and snapped up English membership Newcastle United.
Critics have dubbed the method “sportswashing” — an try via the conservative nation to distract consideration from its human rights report.
Al Nassr is anticipating a complete stadium for the disclosing, in line with one authentic who didn’t need to be named as a result of he was once now not licensed to talk to the media.
Ronaldo is via some distance the largest famous person to play in Saudi Arabia, even supposing different heavyweights together with George Weah, Pep Guardiola and Xavi additionally had stints within the rich Gulf within the twilight in 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 or even the rustic.
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 all through the World Cup after an explosive interview the place he mentioned he felt “betrayed” via the membership and had no recognize for trainer Erik ten Hag.
AP Photo
The Portuguese ahead has lengthy been some of the top-paid avid gamers in soccer, incomes a reported wage of 31 million euros ($33m) at Juventus ahead of taking a pay-cut to rejoin United.
Ronaldo has received 5 Champions League titles, league titles in Italy with Juventus, in Spain with Real Madrid and in England with United.
He could also be the highest scorer within the Champions League and with the Portuguese nationwide crew, with whom he received Euro 2016.
In Qatar, he turned into the primary guy to attain at 5 World Cups along with his penalty within the group-stage win over Ghana.