AL NASSR REGISTERS RONALDO, TERMINATES VINCENT ABOUBAKAR’S CONTRACT: CLUB SOURCE

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese star, could make his Al Nassr debut on January 22 after being successfully registered by the new team, a club source told AFP on Saturday.

Ronaldo, who was unveiled to fans this week, joined the squad list after Al Nassr terminated Manchester United-linked striker Vincent Aboubakar in order to stay within the Saudi league’s maximum eight foreign nationals.

He will be available for the January 22 home game against Ettifaq after serving a two-match ban for smashing a fan’s mobile phone while playing for Manchester United in November.

“Al Nassr terminated Vincent Aboubakar’s contract by mutual consent, and he received all of his financial rights,” a club source said, adding that Ronaldo was registered prior to Al Nassr’s match against Al Ta’ee on Friday.

“So he served one game from the ban and will serve the other against Al Shabab” on January 14, according to the source.

The official declined to comment on reports that Aboubakar, 30, was on his way to Manchester United, instead stating that he was now a free agent and could negotiate with any team.

Ronaldo, 37, joined Al Nassr in a deal worth around 200 million euros, shedding unprecedented light on the Saudi Pro League.

It comes as Saudi Arabia considers a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup with Greece and Egypt, having watched as neighbor Qatar hosted the tournament in November and December.

The deeply conservative kingdom is acquiring sports assets in an effort to soften its harsh image, attract foreign investment, and diversify its oil-reliant economy.

The Saudis have been accused of “sportswashing,” or using sport to divert attention away from human rights issues.