{"id":10695,"date":"2022-12-31T04:38:03","date_gmt":"2022-12-31T04:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/european-leagues-to-honor-pele-with-pre-match-tributes\/"},"modified":"2022-12-31T04:38:03","modified_gmt":"2022-12-31T04:38:03","slug":"european-leagues-to-honor-pele-with-pre-match-tributes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=10695","title":{"rendered":"European leagues to honor Pele with pre-match tributes"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

Ronaldo\u2019s move to Al-Nassr a new highpoint for club football in Saudi Arabia and Asia<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\nRIYADH: There have been some big stories in Saudi Arabian football in recent months and years but there has been nothing like Cristiano Ronaldo signing for Al-Nassr.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe World Cup win over Argentina was huge and will never be forgotten, providing arguably the nation\u2019s greatest moment in football.<\/p>\n

\nBut when it comes to domestic club football, nothing has come close to the Portuguese legend\u2019s arrival in the Roshn Saudi League.<\/p>\n

\nThe presence of one of the world\u2019s greatest-ever players in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and elsewhere will be watched over the next few weeks, months, and, maybe even, years, by hundreds of millions in every corner of the planet.<\/p>\n

\nForget just Saudi Arabian football, this is one of the biggest stories in football \u2014 period. Few thought it would happen but here we are. It is sure to be an unforgettable adventure.<\/p>\n

\nRonaldo is set to play for the Riyadh giants for two years. After that, it has been reported he will be in line to take on an ambassadorial role at the club until the end of the decade.<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

\nHistory in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano<\/a> to your new home @AlNassrFC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/oan7nu8NWC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) December 30, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nDuring the World Cup, when rumors of Ronaldo\u2019s move to Saudi peaked, Al-Nassr\u2019s coach Rudi Garcia revealed his excitement at the prospect of working with one of the best players in the history of the sport.<\/p>\n

\nHe said: \u201cI think that any coach would be delighted to train a great star like Cristiano.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cI have always thought that the great players are the easiest to manage because they are very intelligent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nWherever the Portuguese star goes, attention follows. He is the most popular person \u2014 not footballer or athlete, but person \u2014 on instagram with in excess of 500 million followers on the social media platform.<\/p>\n

\nEven if just 10 percent of those take an interest in what he does with Al-Nassr, the Saudi Professional League will be one of the most watched in the world.<\/p>\n

\nAt the stroke of a pen and the signing of a contract, Al-Nassr have become one of the most talked about teams in the world.<\/p>\n

\nIn terms of marketing, there is no one like the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus megastar, as the Yellows and the rest of the league are going to find out.<\/p>\n

\nEverywhere he plays, stadiums are going to be full. Press boxes will have an international flavor, while social media will go crazy in dozens of different languages.<\/p>\n

\nThere have been some great players who have come to Saudi Arabia over the years, and some great stars active in the league right now, but there has never been a signing like this in this part of the world.<\/p>\n

\n

\nCRISTIANO RONALDO<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n\n

\nDATE OF BIRTH<\/strong>: February 5, 1985<\/p>\n

\nPLACE OF BIRTH<\/strong>: Funchal, Madeira<\/p>\n

\nNATIONALITY<\/strong>: Portuguese<\/p>\n

\nHEIGHT<\/strong>: 1.85m<\/p>\n

\nWEIGHT<\/strong>: 85kg<\/p>\n

\nCLUBS<\/strong><\/u>:
Sporting Lisbon<\/strong> (POR\/2002-2003)
Manchester United<\/strong> (ENG\/2003-2009)
Real Madrid<\/strong> (ESP\/2009-2018)
Juventus<\/strong> (ITA\/2018-2021)
Manchester United<\/strong> (ENG\/2021-2022)
Al-Nassr<\/strong> (KSA\/starting 2022)<\/p>\n

\nINTERNATIONAL CAPS<\/strong>: 196<\/p>\n

\nINTERNATIONAL GOALS<\/strong>: 118<\/p>\n

\nINTERNATIONAL DEBUT<\/strong>: August 20, 2003 v Kazakhstan (1-0)<\/p>\n

\nINTERNATIONAL HONORS<\/strong><\/u>:
European championship<\/strong> 2016;
Nations League<\/strong> 2019<\/p>\n

\nCLUB HONORS<\/strong><\/u>:
Five Champions Leagues<\/strong> (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
\u00a0Four Club World Cups<\/strong> (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017)
Three European Super Cups<\/strong> (2014, 2016, 2017)
Two Italian championships<\/strong> (2019, 2020)
Two Spanish championships<\/strong> (2012, 2017)
Three English championships<\/strong> (2007, 2008, 2009)
One FA Cup<\/strong> (2004)
Two English League Cups<\/strong> (2006, 2009)
Two Spanish Cups<\/strong> (2011, 2014)
One Italian Cup<\/strong> (2021)
Two English Community Shields<\/strong> (2007, 2008)
Two Spanish Super Cups<\/strong> (2012, 2017)
Two Italian Super Cups<\/strong> (2018, 2020)<\/p>\n

\nINDIVIDUAL HONORS<\/strong><\/u>:
Five Ballons d’Or<\/strong> (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
Three FIFA Best Player awards<\/strong> (2008, 2016, 2017)
Top goalscorer in Champions League history<\/strong> – 140 (not including preliminary rounds)<\/p>\n

\n\u2014 Compiled by AFP<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\nAsia has never seen anything like it. In the previous decade, the Chinese Super League spent hundreds of millions, billions even, on huge stars. The likes of Carlos Tevez, Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba, Oscar and others were major stars, but the arrival of Ronaldo is on a different level.<\/p>\n

\nHe is so famous that his achievements don\u2019t really need repeating, but there are so many that it is easy to forget a few.<\/p>\n

\nThis is a player who has won the Ballon d\u2019Or five times, the Champions League five times and the league title seven times during stays in England, Spain and Italy.<\/p>\n

\nHe also led Portugal to the 2016 European Championships. There are all kinds of other cups and trophies; his trophy cabinet is full to bursting.<\/p>\n

\nHis presence will shine the biggest possible spotlight on the league, this at a time when the international stock of the SPL is relatively high, following a decent set of performances at the World Cup.<\/p>\n

\nThe famous win over Argentina made headlines everywhere. Then came an unfortunate 2-0 loss against Poland and a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Mexico. It was an up and down group, but fans everywhere saw that there is talent in Saudi Arabia. The team were competitive from start to finish and in with a chance of progression.<\/p>\n

\nIt is now generally recognized that there are talented players in the country, such as Salem Al-Dawsari, Saleh Al-Shehri and Mohamed Kanno.<\/p>\n

\nNot just that, but there are a whole host of top-class imports. At Al-Nassr Ronaldo will be linking up with Vincent Aboubakar, last seen scoring the winner for Cameroon against Brazil at the World Cup; 2018 South American Player of the Year Pity Martinez; Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina; Anderson Talisca of Brazil; and six of the Saudi World Cup squad. This is a team that would stand against many in Europe.<\/p>\n

\nIf Lionel Messi is expected to head to the US before long to play MLS, there is no reason for surprise at Ronaldo\u2019s move to the SPL, one that can lay claim to being the best league in Asia, a continent that had three national teams make the last 16 of the World Cup.<\/p>\n

\nRonaldo became a free agent after his contract was canceled by Manchester United following an explosive TV interview. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, the fact that the interview became a worldwide sensation shows the player\u2019s global reach.<\/p>\n

\nAt the age of 37, the fact that there are 30 games in the season as opposed to 38 in England should be welcome news for the forward.<\/p>\n

\nHe is not able to cover the same ground as in his heyday, but is still incredibly fit and scored 18 English Premier League goals last season.<\/p>\n

\nAnd while his presence will make waves off the pitch, he has responsibilities on it.<\/p>\n

\nHere is an ideal opportunity for domestic-based players to learn from the ultimate professional.<\/p>\n

\nCristiano Ronaldo has a chance to not just leave a legacy but to change Saudi Arabian football forever and, just as much as his undoubted skills, that is what makes this move exciting. Whatever happens, the world will be watching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n