After a contentious split from Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Al Nassr. On Friday, the Saudi club officially announced it on social media.
With Al Nassr, the 37-year-old signed a contract that will keep him employed through June 2025. On the Al Nassr Twitter page, a picture of the Portuguese star was posted carrying a blue and yellow shirt with his favorite number seven printed on it.
“I can’t wait to discover a new football league in a different country. The vision with which Al Nassr operates is very inspiring, and I am delighted to join my teammates, so that together we can help the team achieve greater success,” said the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player.
“This is more than history in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome Ronaldo to your new home,” tweeted the Saudis.
After a year in which he was cast loose by Manchester United and demoted to Portugal’s bench, Cristiano Ronaldo is headed to the Gulf. While Ronaldo was competing for Portugal in the World Cup, his contract was terminated by Ten Hag’s side.
When he scored from the penalty spot in their victory over Ghana, he made history by being the first player to score in five international competitions. But when Portugal destroyed Switzerland in their match in the round of 16, he was not included in the starting lineup. He started on the bench for Portugal’s quarterfinal match against Morocco and left the competition in tears.
There were also rumors that he will join his old team Sporting in Lisbon. There have been rumors of a transfer to Inter Miami, a team controlled in part by former United teammate David Beckham. None of those agreements were completed. United determined he was a costly luxury they no longer required because of his declining contribution and his rising, public unhappiness.
