CR7 Al-Nassr jerseys big hit in Barcelona

BARCELONA: Replicas of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr jersey have become a big hit with football fans in Barcelona, according to vendors in the Spanish city.

One sports-shop owner told Arab News that he was selling at least 10 replica shirts of the Saudi club every week with the Portuguese player’s name printed on the back.

The news, a surprise considering Ronaldo’s playing history with Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid, is part of a growing interest in the Saudi Pro League amid an increased global marketing push by the league.

Since Ronaldo’s arrival at the Riyadh club in December, more than 35 television networks around the world have started to cover matches each week from the Saudi league, with Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr always topping the bill.

Ronaldo, known by his initials and favored shirt number as CR7, has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances for the club, including hattricks against Al-Wehda and Damac.

Al-Nassr currently sit second in the league on 60 points, just three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad with three matches left to play.