Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo will play his first match with Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr on January 22 after his new club successfully registered him in their roster, according to a club official who spoke to AFP on Saturday. Al Nassr, known as "Alami" in Saudi Arabia, managed to include Ronaldo in their squad following the mutual termination of the contract with their Cameroonian striker Vincent Aboubakar, who is linked to a move to Manchester United.
Al Nassr is allowed to register only eight foreign players in their squad, which is the maximum allowed by the regulations governing the Saudi league. The five-time world player of the year will be available to play for Al Nassr at home against Al Ettifaq on January 22, after completing a two-match suspension. This suspension was imposed on him for smashing a mobile phone that was taken from a child who was an Everton fan following a match in which his former club, Manchester United, lost last April.
The unnamed official stated, "Al Nassr ended Vincent Aboubakar’s contract by mutual agreement and he received all his financial entitlements," noting that Ronaldo was registered before Al Nassr's match against Al Tai on Friday. He added, "So he has served one match of his suspension and will serve the second one against Al Shabab on January 14."
The source did not confirm reports that Aboubakar (30 years old) is set to sign with Manchester United, but indicated that the Cameroonian striker is now a "free agent and can negotiate with any club."
Ronaldo (37 years old) joined Al Nassr in a staggering deal valued at over 200 million euros, significantly drawing attention to the Saudi league. This major signing happens as the wealthy Gulf kingdom invests millions of dollars to host global sporting events like Formula One and the Dakar Rally, aiming to change its conservative image worldwide. This is part of an unprecedented campaign for significant social openness.
Saudi Arabia is also considering a joint bid with Egypt and Greece to host the 2030 World Cup, officials have reported. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in the futuristic city of Neom, followed five years later by the Asian Games in the capital Riyadh in 2034. The country is also bidding to host the AFC Asian Cup for men and women.
