Ronaldo could be waiting even longer to make his first appearance.
Cristiano Ronaldo may not be making his Al Nassr debut for some time due to registration rules that the club must abide by.
Ronaldo already must wait for a minimum of two games at least as he serves a suspension for slapping a phone out of a young Everton fan’s hand during a fixture at Goodison Park last season.
Al Nassr’s 25,000 seater stadium had been sold out in the hope that the Portugal international would play on Thursday, but in a strange twist of fate, the game has been postponed by 24 hours due to the weather.
But AFP are reporting that the delay could last even longer with Al Nassr yet to register the 37-year-old as they are only allowed a maximum of eight foreign players in the squad, as per Saudi Pro League rules.
In order to sign Ronaldo up one of the likes of David Ospina, Luiz Gustavo, Anderson Talisca and Vincent Aboubakar will have to be removed from the squad list.
A club official said: “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.”
Local reports have claimed that Uzbek midfielder Jaloliddin Masharipov is the most likely candidate to make way for Ronaldo, with another club official claiming that they were in talks to sell a player, but did not specify who.
The forward was unveiled to supporters and the media on Tuesday where he defended his decision to move to the Middle East, saying that he had completed Europe and looked forward to his new challenge.
Related links:
- Cristiano Ronaldo mixes up Saudi Arabia and South Africa after Al Nassr move
- Cristiano Ronaldo is banned from making his debut for Saudi side Al-Nassr
- ‘Don’t forget that’ – Cristiano Ronaldo eager to remind us all after his Al-Nassr unveiling
