Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr presentation, HIGHLIGHTS: Cristiano welcomed at Mrsool Park; says want to make people happy, develop the sport

Catch the HIGHLIGHTS from Cristiano Ronaldo’s presentation at Mrsool Park, Al Nassr’s home stadium.

Updated : Jan 03, 2023 23:35 IST

New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his presentation.
New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his presentation. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
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New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his presentation. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Highlights
  • I’m proud to make this decision. Iin Europe, my work is done. I played at the most important clubs and won everything. Asia is a new challenge: Ronaldo on joining Al Nassr
  • Great opportunity to change the mentality of the new generations: Ronaldo what he wants to do at Al Nassr
  • I had many opportunities in Europe, Brazil, Australia and US, there the clubs tried to sign me but I chose this club: Ronaldo on other offers on the table
  • Al Nassr has women’s football as well. I want to give a different vision of the football and the country to everyone: Ronaldo on emphasis on women’s football

Hello and welcome to the HIGHLIGHTS from Cristiano Ronaldo’s presentation with new club Al Nassr.

22:58 IST: Ronaldo’s family joins him on the pitch. They pose for a few pictures and that is it for now. Ronaldo makes his way off the pitch.

22:55 IST: Ronaldo poses with some youth academy players from Al Nassr:

22:52 IST: This is how Ronaldo was unveiled to the Mrsool Park crowd:

22:49 IST: Ronaldo from the middle of the pitch:

“Well for me it is a pleasure. I will give my best for this club. Than you everyone!

What I expect to achieve is to make people happy and enjoy myself and make the country better and better. Not just the men’s game but the women’s game too. I know the league is competitive and I hope to give my best.”

22:45 IST: The crowd, in unison, lets out a ‘SIUUUU’ as Ronaldo makes it to the centre of the field.

New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo waves during his presentation.
New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo waves during his presentation. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
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New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo waves during his presentation. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

22:43 IST: The Mrsool Park erupts as Ronaldo makes his way down the tunnel. Fireworks too to welcome the new star in Riyadh.

22:40 IST: Ronaldo’s message on women’s football in Saudi Arabia:

22:37 IST: Ronaldo to his teammates at Al Nassr:

“It’s a new challenge for me. I’m here to win. I know the group and I see the connection between the players. I’m here to help the team and give my best.”

22:32 IST: Cristiano Ronaldo greets his teammates in the dressing room.

22:28 IST: Fans await the arrival of Ronaldo on the pitch:

22:20 IST: ‘SIUUUU’ at the press conference. Look at Ronaldo’s reaction:

22:13 IST: The press conference has ended. Cristiano Ronaldo is now headed to the dressing room to gear up in the Al Nassr kit.

22:10 IST: Manager Rudi Garcia’s statement:

“First of all, I’m surprised with the number of journalists here today. Please, after every game, everyone is welcome here.

He is one of the best. He is a legend. It is an honour for me and Al Nassr to welcome him. It’s fantastic that he’s coming here to play.

In my experience, the great players are always the ,ost simple to amange. And like he said we’re here to win. We need to train and win.

He is an example, everyone knows that. My objective is to make him happy. I want him to enjoy playing for Al Nassr.

21:59 IST: Ronaldo’s statements:

On his experience in Riyadh so far

“So far very good. I’m proud to make this decision. As you mentioned, in Europe, my work is done. I played at the most important clubs. Asia is a new challenge. Thank you Al Nassr for giving the opportunity. I’m very happy and very proud.”

Thoughts of his family on the move

“Family is happy. When I take decisions, they support especially the kids, the welcome was amazing. Saudi people are lovely.”

Why he chose Al Nassr

“Great opportunity to change the mentality of the new generations. I had many opportunities in Europe, Brazil, Australia and US, there the clubs tried to sign me but I chose this club. (I want) To develop football in this part of the world. A good chance to grow the sport with my experience. Help women’s sport and change everybody’s perspective.”

Did Saudi Arabia’s World Cup performance helped in making the decision

“Many give opinions but they know nothing. Football has differed in last year. All teams are prepared. Saudi was the only team that beat the champions. South Korea surprised everyone.

I know the league is competitive and I’m looking forward to play.”

New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during the press conference,
New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during the press conference, | Photo Credit: REUTERS
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New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during the press conference, | Photo Credit: REUTERS

21:55 IST: The press conference is underway - The club president, Ronaldo and manager Garcia present.

21:48 IST: There is a light show underway in the centre of the pitch at Mrsool Park. Ronaldo yet to make an appearance in the middle.

21:41 IST: Here is Ronaldo making his way to the Stadium:

21:38 IST: Ronaldo has arrived at his new home. He is at the Mrsool Park, and is greeted by the club president.

21:35 IST: The club president makes his way to the Mrsool Park:

President of Al-Nassr Musalli Al-Muammar (C) arrives at the Mrsool Park Stadium.
President of Al-Nassr Musalli Al-Muammar (C) arrives at the Mrsool Park Stadium. | Photo Credit: AFP
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President of Al-Nassr Musalli Al-Muammar (C) arrives at the Mrsool Park Stadium. | Photo Credit: AFP

21:25 IST: There have been reports that Cristiano Ronaldo has a special clause in his contract, allowing him to leave for Newcastle United should the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Sportstar does a FACT CHECK.

21:20 IST: Ronaldo at the Riyadh airport on Monday:

Cristiano Ronaldo posing for picture with Saudi children as his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr (C) and partner Georgina Rodriguez (R) stand by.
Cristiano Ronaldo posing for picture with Saudi children as his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr (C) and partner Georgina Rodriguez (R) stand by. | Photo Credit: AFP
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Cristiano Ronaldo posing for picture with Saudi children as his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr (C) and partner Georgina Rodriguez (R) stand by. | Photo Credit: AFP

21:15 IST: Titles won by Al Nassr:

The Riyadh-based club has nine league titles, with the latest triumph coming in 2019. It has six King’s Cup, three Crown Prince’s Cup trophies, three Federation Cup wins and two Saudi Super Cup titles.

21:10 IST: Here are the major titles won by Cristiano Ronaldo over his two-decade long career:

Sporting Lisbon: Supertaca Candido de Oliveira: 2002

Manchester United: Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09; FA Cup: 2003–04; Football League Cup:  2005–06, 2008–09; FA Community Shield: 2007, 2008; UEFA Champions League: 2007–08; FIFA Club World Cup: 2008

Real Madrid: La Liga: 2011–12, 2016–17; Copa del Rey: 2010–11, 2013–14; Supercopa de Espana: 2012, 2017; UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18; UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017; FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017

Juventus: Serie A: 2018–19, 2019–20; Coppa Italia: 2020–21; Supercoppa Italiana: 2018, 2020

21:08 IST: Ronaldo’s record at Juventus:

Appearances: 134 | Goals: 101 | Assists: 22

21:06 IST: Ronaldo’s record at Real Madrid:

Appearances: 438 | Goals: 450 | Assists: 131

21:04 IST: Ronaldo’s record at Manchester United:

Appearances: 346 | Goals: 145 | Assists: 64

21:02 IST: Ronaldo’s record at Sporting Lisbon:

Appearances: 31 | Goals: 5 | Assists: 6

21:00 IST: Al Nassr will be Ronaldo’s 5th club. He’s played for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

20:55 IST: Here is Ronaldo’s touchdown in Riyadh on Monday:

20:50 IST: The Ronaldo Effect is still alive! Al Nassr’s following on social media platform has exploded since CR7’s signing. The followers have risen from just over 800,000 to nearly 8 million.

20:45 IST: The ticket sales from Ronaldo’s unveiling ceremony will be handed to Ehsan - The Saudi national platform for charitable work.

Saudi Arabia club Al Nassr announced the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo on December 31, 2022 on a two-year contract, paying the Portuguese player €200 million per year.

Following the transfer, Al Nassr’s following on social media platform Instagram has sky rocketed from 800,000 to over 6 million, and counting. According to reports, there have been enquiries by multiple broadcasters to telecast the games of the club in Europe as well.

The club has offered various commercial incentives in order to convince Ronaldo to join the team. “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,” the team had said after the signing.

Where will Ronaldo be presented to the fans?

Al Nassr’s home stadium, Mrsool Park, will hold the unveiling ceremony of CR7. The venue has a capacity of 25,000.

When is Ronaldo’s presentation ceremony at Al Nassr?

Ronaldo’s unveiling ceremony starts at 7pm local time (4pm GMT and 9:30pm IST).

Where to watch Ronaldo’s presentation ceremony live?

Ronaldo’s presentation will be broadcasted and streamed by SSC (Saudi Sports Company). The broadcasters confirmed the listing on their Twitter handle.

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