After completing a shocking transfer worth more than 200 million euros, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo landed in Riyadh ahead of his spectacular debut in front of thousands of supporters at Saudi Arabia Al Nassr club on Tuesday.
According to state-run television station Al Ekhbariya, the 37-year-old five-time Ballon d’Or winner arrived in the capital late on Monday and is staying at a posh hotel with his entourage.
An official told AFP that “he brought a large team of assistants and even a private security service.”
There are several police cars, checkpoints, and high security measures all around the airport.
According to officials, Ronaldo will make an appearance at the 25,000-seat Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) on Tuesday. Ronaldo left Manchester United under fire after criticizing the team in a TV interview.
After Portugal’s World Cup quarterfinal exit in neighbouring Qatar, where his great adversary Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina, comes the next, and possibly final, chapter in an incredible career.
The oil-rich Saudi Arabia has already entered Formula One, boxing, golf, and Newcastle United, and Ronaldo’s contract, which runs through June 2025, is only the latest example of this.
Al Nassr is expecting a full stadium for the unveiling, according to one official who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak to media.
Ronaldo is by far the biggest star to play in Saudi Arabia, although other heavyweights including George Weah, Pep Guardiola and Xavi also had stints in the wealthy Gulf in the twilight of their careers.
Al Nassr, the nine-time Saudi league champions, have called Ronaldo’s signing “more than history in the making”, claiming he will inspire the rest of the league and even the country.
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 during the World Cup after an explosive interview where he said he felt “betrayed” by the club and had no respect for coach Erik ten Hag.
The Portuguese forward has long been one of the top-paid players in football, earning a reported salary of 31 million euros ($33m) at Juventus before taking a pay-cut to rejoin United.
