Ronaldo wasn’t even playing in the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr has taken the world by storm and fans in Saudi Arabia are even more excited by the 37-year-old’s arrival.
Ronaldo was officially announced as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday and is set to earn a rumoured £175m a year while also acting as an ambassador for the country’s bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
Although the world phenomenon has been criticised for his move to the Middle East, he insists it isn’t a backwards step in his career.
“I want to change the mentality of the new generation. I am so proud at making this big decision in my life and my career. My work in Europe is done. I played for all the most important clubs,” he said.
Supporters will have to wait two games at least before they see the new star man in action. The Portugal international is serving a two-game ban for slapping a phone out of the hand of a young Everton fan last season.
He has also yet to be registered as Saudi Pro League rules state that a club can only have a maximum of eight foreign players in their squad and Al Nassr already have eight registered, meaning one will need to make way to accommodate the forward.
But despite the lack of Ronaldo on the pitch, fans are still in the spirit across the country and ran onto the pitch during Al Ittihad’s game against Al Hilal to perform his celebration.
Demam "siu" sudah terasa di Liga Saudi Arabia per malam tadi..pic.twitter.com/pnVPTkdjLO
— rizk (@therizkbeard) January 5, 2023
A video shows two fans running onto the pitch where they perform the number seven’s ic0nic ‘SIU’ celebration before being dragged away by security after the game was temporarily paused.
Before Ronaldo had even officially joined, Al Nassr supporters were heard shouting ‘SIU’ in the final game before his signing, as well as during his unveiling at Mrsool Park.
Related links:
- Cristiano Ronaldo mixes up Saudi Arabia and South Africa after Al Nassr move
- Fans rush to get Cristiano Ronaldo shirts after Al Nassr move
- Cristiano Ronaldo: The sad decline of a player that refused to listen to anyone but himself
