Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr debut brings plenty of tricks, but no goals as his latest adventure begins – uBetMobile – 2023

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Cristiano Ronaldo’s new chapter started with a win, but not a aim, as Saudi Arabia confirmed off the most costly athlete in historical past for the primary time.

Al Nassr beat Ettifaq 1-0 to go top of the Saudi Pro League, but Sunday night time at Mrsool Park was about nothing else past the Portuguese striker who has signed as much as earn $200 million a yr for the subsequent two-and-a-half years. Aaron Judge’s new 9-yr, $360 million contract with the New York Yankees — a latest megadeal in American sports — does not even come shut, and though Ronaldo did not handle to find the online in his first official look, his new membership, the league and the nation will really feel he is already worth for money.

Shortly earlier than kick-off in opposition to Ettifaq, Al Nassr’s official Twitter account posted: “The world is watching.” That won’t have been the case contemplating this game was up in opposition to a top-of-the-table conflict within the Premier League between Arsenal and Manchester United, but there might be no denying the affect Ronaldo has already had. Suddenly everybody is aware of Al Nassr and their yellow and blue shirts.

Ronaldo, taking part in for Al Nassr for the primary time after showing in a pleasant in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, is nonetheless getting used to his new environment and ran out to heat up within the incorrect half of the pitch earlier than being waved again by his teammates. Eventually in the proper place, he went via his pre-match routine in entrance of a financial institution of yellow flags and chants of “Ronaldo, Ronaldo,” then two bangs of a drum adopted by “siu!” Again. Then once more. And once more.

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Al Nassr followers have been made to attend to see Ronaldo of their colors after an English FA ban picked up throughout his time at Manchester United delayed his debut for almost a month. The membership had been reluctant to even acknowledge the suspension, but as soon as supporters labored out Ettifaq could be his first opponent, tickets for the game offered out inside three hours.

Questions about Ronaldo’s ban aren’t the one ones to have gone unanswered. On Saturday, 24 hours earlier than his debut, there was a gentle stream of followers shopping for Ronaldo shirts from Al Nassr’s Riyadh retailer — they value 364 Saudi Riyals (round $100) — but there was no affirmation of the number offered since he signed.

There are additionally questions on the place Ronaldo’s wage is coming from. At his unveiling earlier this month, Al Nassr president Musalli Almuammar steered important industrial offers would shortly comply with, but there is but to be any announcement. Officials from the Saudi Pro League say they’ve had no involvement within the switch past accepting his registration, but what is clear is that final yr, the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund (PIF) dedicated $2.3bn in sponsorship agreements with home football golf equipment.

Al Nassr bosses count on rival golf equipment to quickly pursue offers for a famous person of their very own, and Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has pledged to “support the rest of our clubs for quality deals with international stars soon.”

In the meantime, although, Al Nassr are having fun with their new icon. His image within the rafters of the stadium was given centre stage alongside supervisor Rudi Garcia, as soon as of Roma, and his each contact in opposition to Ettifaq was cheered regardless of whether or not it was good or dangerous. His first two had been poor as he was dispossessed twice, but he quickly settled right into a game that had none of the tempo or depth of a Premier League fixture.

There was plenty of time and area for his methods and step-overs, every one celebrated by the group, and perhaps it is half of the rationale he is chosen Saudi Arabia.

After struggling to maintain up whereas taking part in for Manchester United or Portugal, he is again to being one of the best on the pitch, similar to he was in his prime, though there is nonetheless a lingering feeling that his presence here is barely out of place. It’s like LeBron James leaving the NBA to complete his profession within the Chinese Basketball League, or Tom Brady taking his remaining snaps someplace in Eastern Europe. Ronaldo is gathering tons of money — round $550k a day — but little in terms of status.

After 5 Champions League titles and 5 Ballons d’Or, Ronaldo will most likely really feel that he does not want any more, though he does nonetheless have the need to attain. When two of his new teammates determined to see out the ultimate minutes in opposition to Ettifaq with a game of keep-ball somewhat than crossing into the penalty space, Ronaldo slapped his fingers down on his legs in frustration. He wished a debut aim.

“Everyone knows Cristiano Ronaldo, he is one of the best players in the history of football,” mentioned Garcia afterward. “It’s very important for us to do everything possible to put him in the best conditions. I want him to enjoy playing and tonight he was happy to play with his new team.”

Before leaving the pitch, Ronaldo went over to applaud the Al Nassr followers behind the aim who had spent the night time bouncing up and down and waving yellow flags and gave a thumbs-as much as girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez as he disappeared down the tunnel. He was adopted by more chants of “Ronaldo, Ronaldo” and a group of Ettifaq players who appeared like they had been eager to take residence his shirt as a memento.

One fan did take residence one thing particular: after being picked at random throughout a half-time prize draw, they found they’d gained a automobile. Saudi Arabia is that sort of place.

An hour after the complete-time whistle, Ronaldo was whisked out of the stadium by his private security group and pushed again to the plush Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh’s Kingdom Tower the place he has been staying since his arrival. His new chapter — probably the ultimate chapter — is formally underway.