RIYADH — Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo could make his Saudi Arabian debut on January 22 after he was successfully registered by new team Al Nassr, a club source said.
Ronaldo, who was unveiled to fans this week, joined the squad list after Al-Nassr terminated Manchester United-linked striker Vincent Aboubakar to stay within the maximum eight foreign nationals stipulated by the Saudi league.
He will now be available for the January 22 home game against Ettifaq after completing a two-match ban issued in November for smashing a fan’s mobile phone while playing for Manchester United.
“Al Nassr terminated Vincent Aboubakar’s contract by mutual consent and he received all his financial rights,” the club source said, adding that Ronaldo was registered before Al-Nassr’s game against Al Ta’ee Friday.
“So now he served one game from the ban and will serve the other one against Al Shabab” on January 14, the source said according to AFP.
The official did not address reports that Aboubakar, 30, could be on his way to Manchester United, saying he was now a free agent and could negotiate with any team.
Ronaldo, 37, joined Al-Nassr in a deal believed to be worth around 200 million euros that has shown an unprecedented light on the Saudi Pro League.
It comes as Saudi Arabia, which watched as neighbour Qatar hosted the World Cup in November and December, considers a joint bid for the 2030 tournament with Greece and Egypt.
Aboubakar, meanwhile, who impressed in the World Cup with Cameroon, will reportedly be looking for a new club, having recorded 13 goals and six assists during his time in Saudi Arabia.
Manchester United was recently linked with a loan move for the forward, in what would be a sensational switch of allegiances with his Portuguese counterpart.
The Saudi Pro League was unlikely on the radar of the majority of his loyal followers but it is where the next and likely last chapter of his career will be played out after signing a 2 1/2-year contract with Al-Nassr.
He will also hope to compete in the Asian Champions League next season if his new club qualifies for the biggest competition in Asian soccer.
“In Europe my work is done,” Ronaldo said when presented by Al-Nassr in Riyadh Tuesday.
But what can the 37-year-old five-time Champions League winner expect from Saudi soccer?
“I know the league is very competitive. People don´t know that, but I know because I saw many games,” he said according to AP.
He joins a team that is aiming to become Saudi champion for the 10th time, having last won the title in 2019.
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