Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Al Nassr fans ahead of grand unveiling in Saudi Arabia

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will be unveiled before thousands of fans at Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr club on Tuesday, a spokesman said, after sealing a shock move estimated at more than 200 million euros.

The 37-year-old great, a five-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, will arrive late on Monday with his family together with media and technical staff, club spokesman Al-Walid Al-Muhaidib told AFP.

As the football star jets off to Saudi Arabia, he posted a message for his Al Nassr fans.

Where to watch

Ronaldo will appear at Al Nassr's 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh at 7pm (8pm UAE time) on Tuesday, officials said. According to Al Nassr, the tickets to the event cost 15 Saudi riyal.

The event will be broadcast on SSC (Saudi Sports Company) channel.

The latest, and possibly final, chapter in an illustrious career comes weeks after Portugal's quarter-final exit from the World Cup in neighbouring Qatar, where his great rival Lionel Messi lifted the trophy with Argentina.

Ronaldo's signing until June 2025 is just the latest foray into top-level sports by Saudi, which has moved into Formula One, boxing and golf and snapped up English club Newcastle United.

Al Nassr is expecting a full stadium for the unveiling, according to an official who did not want to be named.

Ronaldo is by far the biggest star to play in Saudi Arabia, although other heavyweights including George Weah, Pep Guardiola and Xavi also had stints in the Kingdom in the twilight of their careers.

Al Nassr, the nine-time Saudi league champions, have called Ronaldo's signing "more than history in the making", claiming he will inspire the rest of the league and even the country.

• Cristiano Ronaldo joins Al Nassr: What we know of the Saudi Arabian club