Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Cristiano Ronaldo says as he accidentally said he is playing in South Africa instead of Saudi Arabia during unveiling at Al Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year deal with Al Nassr; the forward was a free agent after his contract at Man Utd was mutually terminated; Ronaldo: “I had many opportunities in Europe, in Brazil, in Australia, in the US and even in Portugal, but I gave my word to this club”
“I’m grateful Al Nassr have given me this opportunity, not only for the football but for the young generation and the female generation.
“For me, this is a challenge but I feel very happy and very proud. “I had many opportunities in Europe, in Brazil, in Australia, in the US and even in Portugal many clubs tried to sign me, but I gave my word to this club.
“This is a good chance to grow many important points here with my knowledge and my experience.”
Ronaldo’s lucrative contract will earn an eye watering £173million a year.
“Nobody knows but I can say now that I had many opportunities in Europe.
Many clubs in Brazil, in Australia, in the US even in Portugal, many clubs tried to sign me.
“But I had given Al Nassr my word,” Ronaldo said. Determined not to be left out of Europe’s primary competition, though, there is reportedly a clause in his contract that means if Newcastle United qualify for the Champions League this season, he can go on loan there as they are owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
Cristiano Ronaldo holds several records in the Champions League. So far he is the all-time leading scorer in this continental tournament with 140 goals scored.
The only one capable of catching him any time soon is Lionel Messi. The recent world champion has 129, so he is only 11 behind the Portuguese and 12 away from surpassing him.
Ronaldo, who has a reported salary of over £160m per year, could make his debut on Thursday against Saudi Pro-League side Al Ta’ee or on Saturday against Al Shabab.
Ronaldo added: “I’m a unique player. I beat all the records in Europe. I want to beat a few records here.
“This contract is unique but I’m a unique player, so for me it’s normal. I really don’t worry about what people say. I am really, really happy to be here.
“I know the league is very competitive, I saw many games. I hope to play after (Wednesday) if the coach thinks there’s a chance. I’m ready to keep playing football.”
Speaking at a press conference before walking out onto the pitch in front of his new home supporters, Ronaldo said: “I feel so proud to make this big decision in my life.
“In Europe, my work is done. I won everything and now this is a new challenge. Ronaldo had his Manchester United contract terminated during the 2022 Qatar World Cup after he did an interview with Piers Morgan in which he said that he does not respect United coach Erik ten Hag.
There had already been friction between him and the club and the interview was the final straw. United are now looking for another forward to replace him.
For Ronaldo to be forced to play out what will surely be the final chapter of his glittering career in the football backwater of Saudi Arabia is a damning indictment of his lacklustre form over the last 18 months.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, heads to the Gulf after a painful year that saw him relegated to the Portugal bench and cut adrift by Manchester United.
His second spell with United imploded in November with his departure by mutual consent, shortly after he criticised boss Erik ten Hag and the club’s hierarchy in an explosive television interview.
As his relationship with United soured, Ronaldo was linked to a string of Champions League contenders including Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Napoli.
A return to his first club Sporting Lisbon was also rumoured, while there was talk of a move to the MLS to join Inter Miami, part-owned by former United team mate David Beckham. But none of those deals came to fruition and when United decided his diminishing contribution, coupled with his public displays of dissent, made him a pricey luxury they no longer needed, it was instructive to note the absence of a rush to sign the ageing icon.
Ronaldo left Manchester United last month following an explosive television interview in which the forward said he felt betrayed by the Old Trafford club and did not respect their Dutch manager Erik ten Hag.
The Portugal international arrives in Saudi Arabia with a vast collection of club honours after a glittering spell at Real Madrid from 2009-18 where he won two La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, four Champions League titles and three Club World Cups.
He went on to score a club record 451 times for Real and has more than 800 senior goals overall for club and country.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also claimed two Serie A titles and a Coppa Italia trophy in three years at Juventus before rejoining United with whom he had won three Premier League crowns, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and Club World Cup.
In a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, Ronaldo was left out of the starting line-up for Portugal’s last 16 thrashing of Switzerland.
And when Portugal suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against Morocco in the quarter-finals, Ronaldo started on the bench, made little impact after his eventual introduction and was last seen trudging down the tunnel in tears after the final whistle.
Discover more from KossyDerrickent
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
