In their first match after signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr fans showed their appreciation for their incoming star by chanting his name and his iconic “SIUUU” celebration.
In the seventh minute of the game (Ronaldo’s shirt number) against Al-Khaleej, Al-Nassr fans broke out into an incredible chant of “Ronaldo” and “SIUUU” that would match any South American or European club for its atmosphere.
The chanting can be heard in the clip posted to Twitter by @PortugalTalk, which has already received over 700,000 views!
Al-Nassr fans show love for Cristiano Ronaldo
Already being 1-0 up through a Vincent Aboubakar opener, Al-Nassr fans were understandably in great voice following the groundbreaking deal for Cristiano Ronaldo to join the Saudi Arabian side.
The deal sees the Portugal captain receiving the biggest salary in football history, worth up to more than £177m per year.
Following his acrimonious exit from Old Trafford, Ronaldo’s shock move to Saudi Arabia has changed the footballing landscape in the region, with the club stating that the move would “inspire our league, nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves.”
And already, the transfer has attracted many eyes to Al-Nassr and the Saudi Arabian league, with Al-Nassr gaining more than 2.5 million followers on Instagram within 24 hours of Ronaldo’s signing.
One comment to the video on Twitter stated: “Imagine the attention this league will have! I’m happy for Ronaldo! Let him have some fun there! Those who are saying he’s finished, let’s see what happens next!”
Who else plays in Saudi Arabia?
And for those who may snub their nose at the move or the quality of the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo is not the only familiar face from European football to play in the league.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will come up against the likes of fellow former Manchester United player Odion Ighalo, former PSG midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, Argentina’s Ever Banega and former Porto striker Moussa Marega in the Saudi Pro League.
The 37-year-old will also join up with former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, former Benfica midfielder Talisca and 2012-13 UEFA Champions League winner Luis Gustavo at Al-Nassr.
Whether Ronaldo will join up with his teammates to make his debut at the 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park on Thursday remains to be seen.
However, if the clip of the Al-Nassr fans chanting his name is anything to go by, it seems that they are desperate to see their star man in action as soon as possible and give him a hero’s welcome!
Cristiano Ronaldo sent message by new Al-Nassr team-mate after Mohamed Salah dig
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi outfit Al-Nassr was finally confirmed earlier this week and he has already been issued a warning by one of his new teammates amid a rivalry with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah
Cristiano Ronaldo has been sent an emphatic message by new Al-Nassr teammate Vincent Aboubakar amid the Cameroonian’s ongoing feud with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
The Portuguese forward sealed a big-money switch to the Saudi Arabian outfit earlier this week having penned a deal worth in the region of £173m per year until 2025. It sees Ronaldo venture outside of Europe for the first time in his glittering career following his explosive exit from Manchester United.
His first assignment once he arrives in the Middle East will be to break into the Al-Nassr starting XI – an easy task most would think considering the eye-watering wages that he will earn during his spell with the club. New teammate Aboubakar might have something to say about that first though.
The former Porto star has been with the Saudi outfit since a move from Besiktas in the summer of 2021. The 95-time Cameroon international has gone on to make 36 appearances for the club since, scoring 11 goals.
One of those strikes came in his most recent outing as he opened the scoring in the fifth minute against Al-Khaleej. That goal proved to be the winning strike as Al-Nassr rose to top spot in the Saudi Pro League ahead of Al-Shabab.
It also came at a perfect time for Aboubakar who will certainly be hoping to hold onto his starting berth regardless of Ronaldo’s arrival at the club. And the striker has already proved that he has no issues in putting himself up against the world’s best, having previously compared himself to Kop ace Salah.
Vincent Aboubakar has played for Al-Nassr since the summer of 2021 ( Image: Getty Images)
Speaking shortly before the World Cup, he claimed that he shared the same ability as the Egyptian – his lack of a move to a top five league the only thing preventing him from displaying that more regularly.
“I understand people’s attitudes, he’s [Salah] one of the best goalscorers in the Premier League,” he said. “It makes sense that when you go on about a player like that, people will talk.
“But I did say that it was my opinion, my point of view. I don’t give a toss if people don’t like it – I’m not impressed by him.
“I can do what he does. I just don’t have the opportunity to play in a big club.”
Aboubakar did manage to display his goalscoring instincts during the World Cup in Qatar having hit two goals – one being a stunning lob against Serbia, whilst he also netted against Brazil in his nation’s final group game.
The striker will be aiming to continue his scoring run later this week as Al-Nassr take on Al-Ta’ee in a match that looks likely to come too soon for Ronaldo’s debut. The Portuguese looks likely to make his first appearance for his new club in a couple of weeks’ time with an away trip to face Al-Shabab.
Source: givemesport.com; mirror.co.uk
