“He brought with him a considerable number of assistants and even a private security company”
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in Riyadh on Monday evening, on the eve of his presentation to supporters of the Saudi club Al-Nassr with which he has signed for an estimated salary of 200 million euros over two and a half years. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who played until the World Cup for Manchester United, arrived at Riyadh airport in the evening, public television channel Al-Ekhbariya reported.
An important security device had been put in place with police vehicles and checkpoints, reported a journalist, who was unable to access the interior of the airport. Ronaldo will be officially presented Tuesday at Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh, with a capacity of 25,000 seats, from 19:00 local time (16:00 GMT).
According to a source within the club, “he brought with him a considerable number of assistants and even a private security company”. He will initially stay in a luxury hotel in central Riyadh, the source added.
The 37-year-old striker left Manchester with a bang, following a vitriolic interview at the end of November in which he claimed to “no longer respect” his coach Erik ten Hag and also attacked the club’s leaders.