Footballing icon Cristiano Ronaldo broke the internet (again) over the New Year when it was announced that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was joining Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr.
Having sensationally parted ways with his former club Manchester United on the eve of the World Cup in Qatar, where the Portuguese striker would end up plying his superlative skillset was a delicious narrative that ran in parallel with the tournament. The answer (although heavily rumoured, but still surprising) was Riyadh.
While much of the world stood slack-jawed (either by the staggering estimated total contract worth AED784 million (€200m) for two years, or by the fact that he had shunned Europe’s big leagues for the Saudi Pro League), we here from the region were not too surprised to see CR7 join a league, and a team, that has its fair share of established global talent. Here are some of them…
Davide Ospina, Al Nassr
The Colombian goalkeeper will be a welcome face for Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, as the player is well known by both English Premier League and Serie A fans following notable stints at both Arsenal and Napoli respectively. The veteran shotstopper is the most capped player in the Colombian national team’s history, with more than 112 caps for his country.
Rudi Garcia, Al Nassr
The man with the responsibility of slotting Cristiano Ronaldo into his formation is Rudi Garcia. Before the well-liked Frenchman became the manager of Serie A side AS Roma, he made his name as the mastermind of a footballing fairytale back in his homeland – guiding French side Lille to an unlikely Ligue 1 and Coupe De France double win back in 2011. Before joining Al Nassr as Head Coach, he managed both Lyon and Marseille.
Vincent Aboubakar, Al Nassr
Avid watchers of the recent World Cup in Qatar will only need to cast their minds back to Cameroon’s sensational victory over Brazil to recognise Vincent Aboubakar. In that game, the Cameroonian captain scored a sensational header in the dying moments to produce an iconic moment for the Africans – helped even further by him taking his shirt off, and getting sent off for a second yellow card. Oops. More dedicated football will recognise him from his stints in Portugal (Porto) and Turkey (Beşiktaş). Currently the main striker for Al Nassr, he will perhaps have the most to prove (or lose) once Cristiano Ronaldo is ready for selection.
Odion Ighalo, Al Hilal
A man who Cristiano Ronaldo could turn to for advice about settling into his new surroundings is Odion Ighalo. The striker also made the decision to swap the green grass of Old Trafford for the land of the Green Falcons. The ex-Manchester United loanee striker has had a fruitful couple of years in front of goal since moving to the Saudi Pro League, initially with Al Shabab, and this year joining reigning Saudi champions Al Hilal. If anyone will be able to beat Ronaldo to the ‘top goalscorer’ charts, it’ll likely be the Nigerian striker representing the other half of Riyadh.
Éver Banega, Al Shabab
For Argentinean midfield Ever Banega, this wont be his first rodeo playing against Cristiano Ronaldo. Marshalling the midfield of title contenders Al Shabab, the former Inter Milan and Sevilla midfielder has played against CR7 dozens of times in the Spanish league.
Eder, Al Raed
If Cristiano Ronaldo is feeling a little homesick or perhaps a shot of nostalgia, he can always call up his fellow countryman Eder. We imagine that they will reminisce about the time that they won the Euros together in 2016, with Eder scoring the only goal in the Final with Portugal beating France. Following stints at Swansea, Lille and Lokomotiv Moscow, he joined the Saudi Pro League in 2021, leading the line for Al Raed.
