JAKARTA - Cristiano Ronaldo's presence at Al Nassr brings new hope to a number of parties. The figure of Ronaldo is expected to bring change.
Recently, the former Juventus and Real Madrid players are expected to participate in voicing human rights in the Middle Eastern country.
"Instead of offering uncritical praise for Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo must use his large enough public platform to draw attention to the country's human rights issues," said Dana Ahmed, a Middle East Amnesti researcher.
"The Saudi Arabia regularly executes people for various crimes including murder, rape, and drug smuggling. In one day last year 81 people were sentenced to death and many of them were tried in a very unfair trial," he continued.
Authorities are also continuing their crackdown on freedom of expression and association, with severe prison sentences imposed on human rights defenders, women's rights activists and other political activists.
"Cristiano Ronaldo... should have used his time in Al Nassr to talk about the country's myriad human rights issues," he said, as quoted by Antara, Thursday, January 5.
When introduced as a new Al Nassar player at Mrsouth Park Al Nassr Stadium, last Tuesday, Ronaldo said he wanted to "be part of the success of the country and the culture of the country".
For this reason, he was asked to participate in voicing human rights in the country that is trying to host the 2030 World Cup.
Al Nassr brought in a former Manchester United striker with a Saudi promotional background to the world of sports. Previously the country had started promotions through golf, boxing, tennis and Formula 1.
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