Team UAE holds narrow lead against Team Qatar in thrilling Men’s Championship showdown at Ajman’s Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club
sports1 day ago
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo faces a wait to make his Al Nassr debut because the Saudi club have exceeded their quota for foreign players, club sources told AFP on Thursday.
When he was unveiled with great fanfare on Tuesday, the 37-year-old said he was keen to play as soon as possible, starting with Thursday's home game against Al Ta'ee.
But Ronaldo, whose deal is worth an estimated 200 million euros to June 2025, is Al Nassr's ninth foreign player -- one more than the eight allowed by Saudi football authorities.
"Al Nassr has not registered him yet because there is no vacancy for a foreign player," one club official, who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak to media, told AFP.
"A foreign player must leave to register Ronaldo, either by selling or by terminating the contract by mutual consent."
Al Nassr's foreign contingent includes Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina, Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo and forwards Anderson Talisca of Brazil and Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon.
Saudi reports said Uzbek midfielder Jaloliddin Masharipov was most likely to make way for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and Champions League record scorer.
A second club source confirmed that Ronaldo was not registered as of Thursday afternoon local time.
"There are ongoing negotiations to sell one of the players, but they have not reached their final stages yet," he said.
Both officials refused to confirm whether Ronaldo still needed to serve a two-match English Football Association ban from November for hitting a mobile phone out of a teenage fan's hand after Manchester United, his club at the time, lost to Everton.
The Saudi Football Association referred questions about the match ban to Al Nassr.
Al Nassr's 25,000-capacity stadium, Mrsool Park, is sold out for Thursday's game, as it was on Tuesday when Ronaldo was welcomed with fireworks and deafening cheers.
The Portuguese forward said then that he was looking for a new challenge by coming to Saudi Arabia, adding that he had received offers from around the world.
"I'm a unique player. It's good to come here, I broke all the records there (in Europe) and I want to break a few records here," Ronaldo said.
ALSO READ:
Team UAE holds narrow lead against Team Qatar in thrilling Men’s Championship showdown at Ajman’s Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club
sports1 day ago
The right-handed batter smashed 52 runs in 18 balls, helping his side to a memorable nine-wicket win over Ajman Bolts
sports1 day ago
The Dubai-born talent says he’s excited for the next rounds at Landings Golf & Athletic Club, Deer Creek, Georgia and is loving the challenge of competitive golf
sports2 days ago
A new Champion will be crowned at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club on Thursday
sports2 days ago
At the Jumeirah Golf Estates, Bertoche transformed the DP World Tour Championship's atmosphere into art
sports2 days ago
Host UAE’s Rayan Ahmed and Ahmad Skaik shine in second place as Adam Bresnusets the pace at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club in Ajman
sports2 days ago
The Emirati golf icon recalls the emotional moment that brought back memories of a lifelong friendship with the Spanish great
sports3 days ago
Missed opportunities: 'The course was there for the taking If only my putting had been better,” admits the Dubai-born golfer
sports3 days ago