THOUSANDS of Al Nassr fans welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo to the club yesterday by chanting his name in the seventh minute of a Saudi Pro League clash with Al Khaleej.
Ronaldo, 37, joined Al Nassr in a shock free transfer on Friday, just one month after leaving Manchester United.
He signed a two-and-a-half-year deal worth a staggering £173MILLION-a-year, making him the highest-paid sportsperson of all time.
Al Nassr supporters have been thrilled with the arrival of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and they were in full voice during Saturday’s clash with Al Khaleej.
As the seventh minute of the match approached, thousands began to chant: “Ronaldo, Ronaldo,” followed by the superstar’s signature “Siu”.
Hundreds of fans also flocked to the Al Nassr club shop over the weekend in the hope of buying a new shirt with Ronaldo and the iconic No.7 on the back.
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The Saudi Super League club had been in talks to sign the forward since November.
Ronaldo had his Man Utd contract sensationally ripped up just before the World Cup kicked off following his tell-all interview with Piers Morgan.
During the 90-minute conversation with the SunSport columnist, Ronaldo said that he felt “betrayed” by the Red Devils.
He also criticised former United boss Ralf Rangnick as well as Erik ten Hag.
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The revelation threw the club into turmoil and eventually led to his bitter departure.
In the same interview, Ronaldo revealed that he had previously turned down the chance to play in Saudi Arabia.
He said: “It’s hard. It’s hard. But in the same way, I thought that I was very happy here; that I [am] still capable to score goals and make people happy.
“I still believe that I can score many many goals and help the team because I still believe that I’m still good and capable to help national team – even Manchester United.
“But if you don’t feel around you that the energy’s on your side, it’s difficult. Of course, the criticism is gonna exists all the time. Ah he’s 37, he’s not the same.
“But I want to see if some guy of my age maintain the level that I show. You’re not gonna teach me that. Nobody is gonna teach me that.”
However, after a disappointing World Cup campaign he quickly changed his mind.
Ronaldo is expected to make his Al Nassr debut next week against Al-Tai.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
