credit: Twitter
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a world record $214 million signing with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr until June 2025. However, multiple reports have suggested that the legendary Portugal forward will not make his Al-Nassr debut for the Saudi Pro League club on Thursday in their match against Al-Ta'ee.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo was presented to the fans at the 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park in Riyadh on Tuesday, January 3. Reportedly, former Manchester United forward will receive $75 million on-field salary per year, making him the highest-paid footballer in the history.
Al-Nassr are scheduled to host Al-Ta'ee at the King Saud University Stadium on Thursday in the Saudi Pro League, however, Cristiano will not feature in the match due to his two-game FA suspension, as per Daily Mail. During the Red Devils' match against the Toffees on April 9, 2022, Ronaldo slapped an Everton fan's hand while moving down the tunnel after the 1-0 loss at the Goodison Park.
Watch the incident here:
Just a day after Manchester United terminated Ronaldo's contract following his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, the FA handed a £50,000 fine to Cristiano Ronaldo on November 23. Although, the five-time UCL winner apologised to the young fan through an Instagram post after the match, the FA imposed a two-game ban, which would disallow him to make his debut for Al-Nassr on Thursday, according to Daily Mail.
According to the reports, Cristiano will also miss Al-Nassr's away game against Al-Shabab at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Saturday while the Portuguese international is expected to make his debut against Ettifaq on January 21, 2023.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr are currently leading the Saudi Pro League as they have managed eight wins in 11 matches so far in the league.
