Al Nassr was the “Global” club before Ronaldo.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s new team Al Nassr is nicknamed Al Alami, meaning “The Global Club.”
The shock signing of one of the greatest soccer deals in history meant that the Saudi Arabian soccer club couldn’t handle the international attention.
Al Nassr still doesn’t have an English language website, which was a problem for many fans when trying to learn the details of Ronaldo’s contract after the deal was announced last Friday.
Posted on the club’s Twitter account were two simple photos, taken in Madrid following the conclusion of negotiations. It took another 10 minutes for the English-language feed to be updated.
Approaching a week since the signing, Al Nassr’s social media accounts have become more user friendly for a western audience, but its website remains in Arabic only.
Its Instagram account now has 9.6 million followers, up from 1.2million in the beginning.
Al Nassr has received Ronaldo’s instantaneous gift fame beyond the confines of Asia It is now trying to catch up to its new status.
Ronaldo has his own publicist and an outside firm of public relations to assist with the media inquiries.
His presentation at the club’s 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park on Tuesday included a stage-managed news conference in which no questions were invited from the media in attendance.
Al Nassr’s nickname came as a result of it becoming the first Asian team to play in a global competition at the inaugural Club World Cup in Brazil in 2000.
It will be little known by many Ronaldo fans worldwide, even though it was well-known before November’s links.
It is, however, not the most well-known club in Riyadh.
Neighbor Al Haial is the most successful soccer team in Saudi Arabia, winning 18 titles and 4 Asian Champions Leagues.
Al Nassr plays in the former Al Hilal Stadium, which was also connected with Ronaldo’s move.
Al Nassr fans will be happy to hear that this is another reason to celebrate the arrival of Al Nassr.
The crowd waited in the rain for a glimpse of the 37 year-old ahead of his presentation. They chanted his name loudly when he stepped onto their field wearing the club colors of yellow, blue, and his No. The number 7 was on the back of his shirt.
Musalli Almuammar Al Nassr president said signing was not about winning trophies, but about changing the face the club and Saudi soccer.
“To have the greatest football player is an indication we have a vision to bring Saudi football to a better position,” he said.
Ronaldo however has arrived here to win in what will likely be his final move in his long-standing career.
Al Nassr would enjoy a successful start at his new club if he could lead him to a 10th league championship at the expense Al Hilal, the defending champion.
Ronaldo believes that bringing it to the Asian Champions League title next season would be a significant achievement. It will also bring back memories of the glory days when he won five Champions Leagues for Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Al Nassr, just like other teams in Saudi league, is owned and run by the government.
Almuammar was a former president of the Saudi Pro League and is an adviser to the General Entertainment Authority, which was established to improve the “quality of life” in the country.
He is also well-known for his work as a columnist and sports news analyst.
He worked as a marketing researcher at Manchester United when he was an intern.
Almuammar’s education includes time at Harvard and Manchester Metropolitan University.
It was notable that Almuammar did not deny Ronaldo’s deal made him the highest paid player in soccer history this week, even if he refused to confirm reports that the contract was worth up to $200 million a year.
The arranged host, Saudi newsreader Weam Al Dakheel asked questions during the presentation. This was clearly a topic he was eager to address.
We have not disclosed all details about the incentives and bonuses. Also, it is not known how the deal was funded, although Almuammar spoke of the commercial agreements Ronaldo’s arrival would generate, with announcements set to come.
Almuammar made a point of thanking Muhammad Al Khuraiji, a prominent businessman, who he described as his “optimistic brother” in a Twitter post. Al Khuraiji also owns Saudi Media Company, which is owner of Mrsool Park.
SMC and he were both linked to a bid for Chelsea in last year’s English Premier League sale. Roman Abramovich, then-owner of the club, was sanctioned and allowed to continue his ownership.
It is not known what involvement he had in the signing of Ronaldo, but it was significant enough for Almuammar to thank him “foremost” among those who worked on what he described as “the most important deal in the history of Saudi sports.”
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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