'Ronaldo says he wants to break records in Saudi stint: 'I'm a unique player'

Cristiano Ronaldo said he was a "unique" player for moving to Saudi Arabia and that he was hungry for more success after arriving at Riyadh club Al Nassr on Tuesday.

"I'm a unique player. It's good to come here, I broke all the records there (in Europe) and I want to break a few records here," the 37-year-old told media at Al Nassr's Mrsool Park stadium.

Ronaldo signed his estimated 200 million euros ($211 million) deal to June 2025 just weeks after his departure from Manchester United, following a TV interview where he slammed the club and coach Erik ten Hag.

READ | Ronaldo's Al Nassr move underlines Portugal star's decline

Al Nassr, the nine-time Saudi league champions, represent a downgrade for the Portuguese forward who spearheaded title-laden campaigns with United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Oil-rich monarchy Saudi Arabia, which has been snapping up sports assets as part of a drive to soften its austere image, is often accused of "sportswashing", or using sport to distract attention from human rights controversies.

Ronaldo arrives just weeks after the World Cup in neighbouring Qatar, and as Saudi Arabia considers a joint Asia-Africa-Europe bid to host football's biggest tournament with Egypt and Greece.

Thousands of fans are expected to pack the 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park after the club received more than 130,000 requests for tickets for the unveiling, priced at 15 riyals ($4) with revenues going to charity.

'Welcome Ronaldo'

Well before his arrival, supporters carrying yellow "Ronaldo 7" flags and blue-and-yellow Al Nassr scarves turned up at the stadium, some of them looking for tickets.

Adam Seddik, an Al Ittihad fan from Jeddah, said he drove 900 kilometres (560 miles) to Riyadh to witness the spectacle.

"His presence will