Ronaldo storms Riyadh with assistants, private security

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) walks with President of Al-Nassr Musalli Al-Muammar upon his arrival at the Mrsool Park Stadium in the Saudi capital Riyadh on January 3, 2023, ahead of the unveiling ceremony. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)

Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo, arrived in Riyadh ahead of his grand unveiling before thousands of fans at Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr club on Tuesday, after sealing a shock move estimated at more than €200 million (S$286 million).

The 37-year-old, a five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, touched down in the capital late on Monday, according to Al Ekhbariya state run TV, and is staying at a luxury hotel with his entourage.

“He brought a big team of assistants and even a private security firm,” an official told AFP.

Ronaldo, who left Manchester United under a cloud after slamming the club in a TV interview, was expected to appear at Al Nassr’s 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh at 7:00pm, yesterday (midnight in Singapore) on Tuesday, officials said.

The latest, and possibly final, chapter in an illustrious career comes weeks after Portugal’s quarter-final exit from the World Cup in neighbouring Qatar, where his great rival, Lionel Messi, lifted the trophy with Argentina.

Ronaldo’s signing until June 2025 is just the latest foray into top-level sports by oil-rich Saudi, which has moved into Formula One, boxing and golf and snapped up English club Newcastle United.

Critics have dubbed the strategy “sportswashing” – an attempt by the conservative country to distract attention from its human rights record.

Nassr is expecting a full stadium for the unveiling, according to one official who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak to media.

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