Ronaldo ready for an hero's welcome in Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar, will be greeted by thousands of adoring fans in Riyadh on Tuesday after leaving top-tier football for a lucrative stint with Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr.
The 37-year-old, whose epic rivalry with Lionel Messi dominated international football for well over a decade, will be paraded at his new club's Mrsool Park stadium after arriving late Monday with his entourage.
Ronaldo agreed to his projected 200 million euro contract until June 2025 just weeks after leaving Manchester United, following a TV interview in which he lambasted the club and coach Erik ten Hag.
Al Nassr, the nine-time Saudi league winners, are a step down for the Portuguese striker, who has won titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Monarchy rich in oil Saudi Arabia, which has been acquiring sporting assets in an effort to soften its austere image, is frequently accused of "sportswashing," or using sport to divert attention away from human rights issues.
"See you soon, Nassr supporters," Ronaldo remarked aboard the plane, according to an Instagram video released by Al Nassr.
Ronaldo visits only weeks after the World Cup in neighboring Qatar, and as Saudi Arabia prepares a combined Asia-Africa-Europe proposal with Egypt and Greece to host football's biggest championship.
Thousands of supporters are expected to fill the 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park after the club got more than 130,000 requests for tickets to the unveiling, which will cost 15 riyals ($4) and will benefit charity.
WELCOME RONALDO
On a cold, rainy day in the desert country's capital, billboards with the words "Hala (welcome) Ronaldo" and images of the player in Al Nassr's blue-and-yellow uniform adorned key thoroughfares.
When Ronaldo landed at the airport late at night, he was met by police cars and checks before being escorted to a five-star hotel in the city center.
"He brought a large team of helpers and even a private security service," a club official who requested anonymity stated.
The presence of Ronaldo, the most high-profile player to visit Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, or any Asian confederation, has sparked great excitement.
Fans lined up along the street to purchase Ronaldo's Al Nassr shirt, which included his signature number seven, and Al Nassr's Instagram page garnered millions of new followers when his signing was made public.
"Asia has never seen anything like this," said a commentary in the UAE publication Gulf News.
"He is assured attention everywhere he goes, and if only 10% of his supporters are interested in his new transfer, the Saudi Pro League will become one of the most watched in international football," it continued.
It comes amid a Saudi drive into sports such as golf, boxing, tennis, and Formula One, in addition to football, following the buying of English Premier League team Newcastle United last year.
Saudi Arabia, commanded by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — Ronaldo's age at 37 — will host the Asian Games and Asian Winter Games, as well as the men's and women's Asian Cups in football.
Its sports minister told AFP in August that hosting the Olympics is a "ultimate aim," and authorities have suggested that Saudi Arabia is considering a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup.
