It was revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo‘s debut could be further delayed since the Saudi Arabian club apparently breached their international player quota, adding to the odd beginning to his time at Al-Nassr.
Due to Ronaldo’s two-match suspension for smashing an Everton fan’s phone, there were concerns that he wouldn’t be able to play in his first game for his new team on Thursday against Al Tai. The game was then postponed by 24 hours after heavy rain caused electrical problems at the club’s stadium.
Sportsmail then learned that Al-Nassr was considering playing the star Portuguese player in defiance of the English FA-imposed suspension, which is still in effect under FIFA rules.
Ronaldo’s ability to play for Al-Nassr after agreeing to a £175 million contract is still unknown because the club is unable to sign the superstar because they have over their foreign player quota.
The 37-year-old is Al-ninth Nassr’s foreign import, and club sources informed AFP that in order to reach the Saudi Pro League’s maximum of eight players, negotiations are currently taking place to sell a member of the present squad.
An unnamed Al Nassr official told AFP:
‘Al Nassr has not registered him yet because there is no vacancy for a foreign player,’
‘A foreign player must leave to register Ronaldo, either by selling or by terminating the contract by mutual consent.’
Among Al-army Nassr’s of foreign talents are Cameroon great Vincent Aboubakar, former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, and ex-Brazil international Luiz Gustavo.
Pity Martinez, a former Argentina international, Ghislain Konan, Alvaro Gonzalez, Talisca, a Brazilian midfielder, and Jaloliddin Masharipov, a player from Uzbekistan, are all on the team.
The player who is most likely to quit the team to make place for Ronaldo is Masharipov.
The humiliation for Al-Nassr is increased by the inability to register Ronaldo and the cancellation of today’s match.
The Saudi Pro League team has spent more than £400 million to secure Ronaldo’s services for the next two and a half years. The 37-year-old signed a contract worth an estimated £173 million per year.
Ronaldo’s anticipated debut had already been called into question due to the two-game FA suspension he received when playing for Manchester United and has yet to serve.
After knocking a phone out of an Everton fan’s hand during a game last season, the star was given the suspension in November.
