Saudi fans react to Ronaldo’s local club transfer
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Hashim Sheikh
- . December 8, 2022
- . Update: December 9, 2022 3:08 pm
Cristiano Ronaldo may have spent the majority of Portugal’s round-of-16 match against Switzerland on the bench, but thousands of spectators at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday cheered him on with deafening volume.
Many of them weren’t even supporters of Portugal. In leagues, exhibition games, and now at the World Cup, Ronaldo is a huge crowd favorite all around the world. While the 37-year-old is most likely participating in his final World Cup, Middle Eastern fans could soon see him play again locally.
Ronaldo has been linked to Al Nassr, a Saudi Pro League (SPL) team, after being released by Manchester United last month. Saudi football fans say they can’t wait to have the Portuguese icon in their midst, even though confirmation of a move is still pending and won’t likely be confirmed until after the World Cup.
Who wouldn’t want to watch Ronaldo play in person? Even though I don’t support Al Nassr, Ibrahim Al Hassun, a Saudi football supporter, told Al Jazeera in Doha that he should visit Saudi Arabia.
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With 195 appearances for Portugal’s national team, Ronaldo holds the record for most goals scored in international competition (118). However, a question mark looms over his future with Portugal’s national team.
He was left off the starting lineup for Portugal’s most recent game despite just having one goal to his name thus far in the tournament. Goncalo Ramos, who took his place, grabbed a hat-trick and will probably get the start against Morocco on Saturday in the quarterfinal.
With nine titles under its belt, Al Nassr, the second-most successful team in the SPL, reportedly made Ronaldo an offer of a three-year, $225 million contract. The possibility of having one of football’s biggest stars perform in their nation excites Saudi fans.
