CRISTIANO RONALDO suffered an awkward moment when he was greeted with chants of “SIUUU” by the media at his official Al-Nassr unveiling.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, 37, is now the highest-paid sportsperson ever after he signed a lucrative £173million-a-year deal with the Saudi Pro League club.
Ronaldo, who was released by Manchester United last month after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, arrived in Riyadh on Monday and was greeted by a large group of adoring fans.
The forward then underwent his medical on Tuesday ahead of his official unveiling, which took place at Al-Nassr’s home stadium – Mrsool Park.
But as he was presented in front of the waiting media, he soon had an awkward look on his face as some of the journalists began chanting his famous “Siuuu” goal celebration.
Ronaldo’s signature celebration has become a viral hit over the years, from school playgrounds to courts at the Australian Open, kids and athletes alike have been mimicking the Portuguese by throwing their arms out and yelling ‘Siuuu’ at the top of their lungs.
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It’s almost a decade since Ronaldo first performed the celebration against Chelsea in its current form during a 2013 pre-season friendly.
And the new Al-Nassr star previously revealed that it originally came about as a way to feel more connected to the Real Madrid fanbase.
Speaking in 2019, he said: “I started to say ‘si’, it’s like ‘yes’, when I was in Real Madrid.
“When we would win, everyone would say ‘siiiii’ and so I started to say it. I don’t know why, it was natural.
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“I was in the USA and we played against Chelsea and I don’t know where this is coming from, the celebration.
“I just scored the goal and it just came out. It was just natural, to be honest.
“Since that, I started to do it more often and I feel like the supporters and the fans see it and they’re like ‘Cristiano, siiiiiiuuuu’.
“I’m like ‘wow! People are reminded of me because of it!’ So it’s good, and I’ll continue doing it like that.”
After sitting through the cringe-worthy moment, Ronaldo then revealed that he had “multiple” offers from clubs in Europe and across the world before joining Al-Nassr.
He said: “For me, this is a great opportunity in football and to change the mentality of the new generation.
“Nobody knew, but I can say now, I had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs, in Brazil, in Australia, the US, even in Portugal there were many clubs that tried to sign me.
“But I gave my word to this club, for the opportunity to develop not only the football but the other part of this amazing country.”
Ronaldo added: “For me it is a good challenge. I know what I want and, of course, what I don’t want as well.
“So for me, it is a good chance to change, help, with my experience and knowledge to grow many important points.
“Also, I want to give a different vision of the country, the football and the perspective of everybody and this is why I took this opportunity.”
Ronaldo’s name has been displayed across the city of Riyadh since he was announced as an Al-Nassr player on Friday.
Hundreds of fans have flocked to the club’s official shop in a bid to get their hands on his iconic No7 shirt.
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And those in attendance at Friday’s Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Khaleej continued to chant his name throughout the seventh minute of the match in celebration following the announcement of his arrival.
Ronaldo is now expected to Al-Nassr debut on January 14 in a derby against Al-Shabab.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
