Cristiano Ronaldo's Promise To Change World Perceptions On Saudi Arabian Football, Hopefully Not Just Lip Service

New player Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo: Twitter/@AlNassrFC)

JAKARTA - Cristiano Ronaldo promised to change the world's perception of football in Saudi Arabia. He made this promise when he was officially introduced as an Al Nassr player.

Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Saudi Pro League leader Al Nassr last week. In his contract, there is a clause that says Ronaldo will be Saudi Arabia's football ambassador.

He will get the task of campaigning for Saudi Arabia with the ambition to host the 2030 World Cup.

"I want to give a different vision of the country from the perspective of football to everyone. This is why I took this opportunity," he said.

The five Ballon d'Or winner also said he would face new challenges. Understandably, his presence in Saudi Arabia also aims to contribute to women's football in the country.

"Ini adalah tantangan baru dan saya sangat senang bahwa Al Nassr telah memberi saya kesempatan untuk berkembang, tidak hanya di sepak bola, tetapi juga untuk generasi muda, dan juga untuk wanita," kata dia.

"Many people may not know, but Al Nassr also has a women's soccer team. Women's football is very competitive here," he said.

🎥 || @Cristiano talks about @AlNassrFC and his new challenges in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/QrGzdB4dg2

— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 3, 2023

In his first press conference in Riyadh on Tuesday, Ronaldo also emphasized his reasons for leaving Europe. He felt he had won all the prestigious titles on the Blue Continent so the decision to move to Arabia was the right step.

"I know what I want, and I know, of course, what I don't want either. This is a good opportunity to change, help with my knowledge and experience to grow a lot of important things," he added.

Ronaldo will be paid a nominal value of IDR 3.3 trillion per year. This nominal makes him the player with the highest salary in the history of football and sport as a whole.

The 37-year-old is likely to make his debut when Al Nassr fights Al Ta'ee on Thursday. Currently Ronaldo's new team is still in the top position of the standings, one point ahead of Al Shahab in second place.