Ronaldo says he had offers besides Al Nassr but ‘in Europe my work is done’
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo was formally offered by Al Nassr because the Saudi Arabian membership’s famous person new signing on Tuesday, and stated he turned down a number of different provides from Europe and North America.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus ahead has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to play within the Saudi Pro League in one of the vital shocking transfers within the sport’s historical past.
“I’m so proud to make this big decision in my life. In Europe my work is done. I won everything and played for the most important clubs in Europe. This is a new challenge,” Ronaldo stated at a news convention.
The soccer nice, who has received 5 Ballon d’Or awards for one of the best participant on the planet and 5 Champions League titles, will play exterior of Europe for the primary time in his storied profession.
Ronaldo was set to be offered to followers later on the 25,000 capability Mrsool Park in Riyadh, which can turn out to be his new dwelling after agreeing a deal reportedly value as much as $200 million a 12 months — making him the highest-paid soccer participant in historical past.
He stated he turned down different provides from completely different groups all over the world.
“Nobody knows this, but I had many opportunities in Europe, Brazil, Australia, America, Portugal, many clubs tried to sign me. I gave my word to this club,” Ronaldo added. “I want to give a different vision of this country and football. This is why I took this opportunity.”
Excitement constructed all through the day forward of Ronaldo’s introduction, with followers making their technique to the stadium early in anticipation of his arrival.
Large video screens on the outside partitions of the bottom pictured him in Al Nassr’s yellow and blue shirt.
The 37-year-old Portugal worldwide had his contract with United terminated in November after conducting an explosive TV interview wherein he criticized supervisor Erik ten Hag and the membership’s homeowners, the Glazer household.
Al Nassr, the 18-time Saudi champions, made a proposal to Ronaldo in the course of the World Cup, which was held in Qatar in November and December. However, the deal was not confirmed till Dec. 30.
Ronaldo flew in to Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Monday evening, the place he and his household have been greeted by followers earlier than present process medical assessments at Mrsool Park on Tuesday.
The vastly formidable switch is anticipated to heap unprecedented deal with Saudi soccer forward of a possible bid to stage the World Cup in 2030, in addition to on Al Nassr, which is little recognized exterior of Asia.
For Ronaldo, nevertheless, it possible brings the curtain down on his profession in elite membership soccer.
Last summer time he wished to maneuver to a membership that was competing within the Champions League after United didn’t qualify for Europe’s largest membership competitors.
Despite hyperlinks with Chelsea, a switch didn’t materialize.
He additionally endured a disappointing World Cup, which noticed him dropped by Portugal for its final two video games earlier than leaving the sector in tears following a loss to Morocco within the quarterfinals.
Ronaldo additionally solely managed three targets for United in 16 video games this season, with a kind of coming from the penalty spot.
However, there have nonetheless been landmarks.
He scored his 700th membership profession objective in opposition to Everton in October and have become the primary male participant to attain in 5 World Cups together with his penalty in Portugal’s 3-2 win in opposition to Ghana within the group stage.
Ronaldo will intention to win a league title in a fourth completely different nation after successful seven home championships in England, Spain and Italy mixed.
Al Nassr performs Al Ta’ee on Thursday, but it surely unclear if Ronaldo will make his debut so quickly after finishing his transfer.
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