After being unveiled as a player of Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr on Tuesday, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo stated his “job is done” in Europe and that he is looking forward to new challenges both on and off the field.
Ronaldo, who was a free agent after splitting with Manchester United in November, joined Al Nassr this week on a two-and-a-half-year contract worth more than 200 million euros ($210.94 million), according to media reports.
After a brilliant career with Spanish giants Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018, where he won two LaLiga titles, two Spanish Cups, four Champions League wins, and three Club World Cups, he lands in Saudi Arabia with a tremendous collection of club medals.
In three years with Juventus, he also won two Serie A titles and a Copa Italia before returning to United, where he had won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup.
CRISTIANO RONALDO AT AL NASSR: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CRISTIANO RONALDO’S NEW CLUB IN SAUDI ARABIA
“I’m really proud to have made this significant decision in my life. “My work in Europe is finished,” Ronaldo said at a press conference.
“I won everything, I played in the biggest clubs in Europe, and now it’s time for a new challenge in Asia.”
Ronaldo added that he had multiple suitors from all around the world after leaving United, but chose to sign with Al Nassr because the move allowed him to make an effect off the field.
“I’m grateful to Al Nassr, for giving me this opportunity to develop football for the next generation, for the women as well. “It’s a challenge for me, but I’m also incredibly thrilled and proud,” Ronaldo remarked.
“I can now say that I had numerous possibilities in Europe, Brazil, Australia, and the United States. Many clubs sought to sign me even in Portugal, but I pledged my promise to this club to promote not only football but also the rest of the country.”
“I’m a special player, for me it’s normal,” the 37-year-old said in response to criticism of his move to Saudi Arabia.
The signing of Ronaldo, according to Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia, is a big step forward for the Saudi Arabian league.
“Great players like Cristiano are the easiest to manage in my experience since there’s nothing I can teach him,” Garcia told reporters.
“As he stated, we are only here to win. I just want him to have fun playing with Al Nassr and winning with Al Nassr.”
