A ‘suspended’ Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to have not enjoyed his new side Al Nassr’s comfortable 2-0 win over Al-Ta’ee in the Saudi Pro League, from the stands. The 37-year-old may have completed his move last week itself and even the official presentation as well, but he still isn’t eligible to make his debut for Al Nassr. Of the couple of reasons for that, one is the Portugal international’s two-game suspension he was handed by the England FA during his time at Manchester United.
While he sat out one of United’s game during his last days there, the second one of the two-game suspension had to be served at Al Nassr with whom he switched sides. As a result, Cristiano Ronaldo had to watch from the stands, his new club enjoy their win over Al-Ta’ee. However, a dejected Ronaldo didn’t even attend the full 90 minutes, as he was spotted leaving for home at the half-time itself.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr debut delayed for indefinite time
Cristiano Ronaldo has just signed the richest contract any footballer, any athlete has ever been handed with. The former Man United forward is set to earn a staggering €200m-per-year over the two-and-a-half-year’s deal he has inked with Al Nassr. As a result, Ronaldo has become the highest earner athlete, the history of sports has ever seen.
He was even welcomed by the club in a glitzy presentation ceremony in a packed Mrsool Park, the home arena of Al Nassr. Thousands of fans flocked at the stadium, some common people as well, just to catch a glance of the global superstar. Ronaldo also spoke about his joining Al Nassr in the press conference that was held prior to the presentation.
With the formalities done and dusted, it was expected Saudi Arabia will now get to witness the greatness of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner right away against Al-Ta’ee. However, Ronaldo’s absence left many disappointed, inculding the player himself. While he still was present to cheer up his new teammates against Al-Ta’ee, Ronaldo was spotted leaving at the half-time itself.
The player reportedly is not happy with his delayed debut, which even could be stranded for indefinite period of time. According to Al Nassr, their quota for foreign players in the squad is up and hence the Portugal captain cannot be registered unless one of them leaves. An Al-Nassr official told AFP:
“Al Nassr has not registered him yet because there is no vacancy for a foreign player. A foreign player must leave to register Ronaldo, either by selling or by terminating the contract by mutual consent.”
It is being reported by GOAL that Al Nassr will also have to get a Certificate of Competence from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) by granting dues to employees in the football sector. The report further adds that as far the registration of Cristiano Ronaldo concerned, the club is ready to sacrifice their Uzbek midfielder Jaloliddin Masharapov in order to accommodate the Portuguese.
Some of the key foreign players currently occupying the slots in Al Nassr’s quota include former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, Brazilian duo Luiz Gustavo and Anderson Talisca, and Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar. Ronaldo is not even expected to make his debut in the next game, a derby against Al-Shabab which comes one week later, on 14 January. Although his two-game suspension has been fulfilled, the registration with Al Nassr still is pending which could keep him out for the next game.