Everything about Cristiano Ronaldo’s new club, Al-Nassr.

November of 2022 saw Cristiano Ronaldo officially confirm that he was leaving Manchester United in an abrupt adieu. The Portuguese superstar and the Red Devils mutually agreed to terminate his contract, and since then, Ronaldo has been linked with various high profiles in Europe. It was heavily reported that CR7 pressed for a move to a Champions League team, but has now ultimately left European football, and perhaps will never return to the biggest stage in club football. December 30 2022 is a monumental date in history as it saw Ronaldo sign for the Saudi club Al-Nassr, who put out an offer that the Portuguese legend could not refuse for any longer. Cristiano Ronaldo now is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, but who are the Saudi Arabian team?

Al-Nassr’s profile

Al-Nassr is a Saudi Arabian club that plays its football in the Saudi Pro League. They are considered as one of the crown jewels of Saudi football and are one of the most widely known Saudi Arabian clubs. Al-Nassr, who are also known as Al-Aalami or Faris Najd, have their HQ located in Riyadh. The former coach of Roma, Marseille, and Lyon, Rudi Garcia has been given charge of the Saudi club. Al-Nassr play their home games in yellow and blue strips at the Mrsool Park, a 25,000-capacity stadium that also has had the privilege to host the very first F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

All about Al-Nassr’s history

Al-Nassr are one of the most illustrious clubs in the Saudi Pro League and were was founded in the year 1955. The have had the honor and quality to win nine league championships, six King's Cups, three Crown Prince's Cups, three Federation Cups, and two Saudi Super Cups with other team honors as well. 1998 was a stellar year for the club as they won the double by winning the Asian Cup Winners' Cup and the Asian Super Cup and also winning the GCC Champions League twice. The previous season saw the finish third in the league and were also eliminated for the AFC Champions League and the local cup by Al-Hilal. Currently, the are first in the league and are being martialed by second place Al-Shabab.  

Fan response to Cristiano Ronaldo signing

Currently leading the Saudi Arabian league, Cristiano Ronaldo's new team is apparently interested in signing Sergio Ramos, a former Real Madrid colleague. Although he hasn't yet played a game for his new team, Ronaldo is already a crowd favourite. In the seventh minute of the team's 1-0 victory over Al-Khaleej on Saturday, Al Nassr fans performed the famous Cristiano Ronaldo celebration chant, "SIUUUUU," in chorus to mark the confirmation of the 37-year-two-year old's deal. There were also Portuguese flags in the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium crowd. Vincent Aboubakar's goal in the fifth minute gave Al Nassr the victory and kept them one point ahead of the leaders in the standings. After weeks of rumours were put to rest on Friday with the official announcement of Ronaldo's signing, Al Nassr supporters lined out to purchase the shirts. Whether Ronaldo makes his debut against Al Ta'ae on Thursday at Al Nassr's 25,000-seat Mrsool Park is yet to be determined.

What can Cristiano Ronaldo expect in Saudi Arabia

David Ospina, a former goalkeeper for Arsenal, Vincent Aboubakar, a forward from Cameroon, and Talisca, a Brazilian striker who has nine goals this season, are among Cristiano Ronaldo’s new teammates. The former Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo is one of three players with six goals behind. But for Ronaldo, whose career to now has been based in the legendary football towns of Lisbon, Manchester, Madrid, and Turin, life in Saudi Arabia will be a completely new experience.