Cristiano Ronaldo says his work in Europe is done, but he had “many opportunities” from other clubs before joining Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.
He joined Al Nassr as a free agent on Friday after leaving Manchester United following a controversial interview in which he criticised the club.
The Portugal captain, 37, said he had offers from clubs in Brazil, Australia, the United States and Portugal.
“I gave my word for this club,” he said at his unveiling on Tuesday.
“I won everything, I played for the most important clubs in Europe and now it is a new challenge in Asia.”
Ronaldo is reportedly set to receive the biggest football salary in history at more than £177m per year in a deal that runs until 2025.
“As nobody knows, I can say now I had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs in Brazil, Australia, the US, even in Portugal, many clubs tried to sign me,” Ronaldo told reporters at his first media conference.
Ronaldo was greeted by thousands of fans at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium on Tuesday.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was greeted with applause and shouts of his trademark ‘Siu’ celebration as he spoke. He answered questions from a club official but took none from reporters.
Speaking about his contract with the nine-time Saudi Pro League champions, Ronaldo said: “This contract is unique but I’m a unique player, so for me it’s normal.
“I know the league is very competitive, I saw many games. I hope to play after [Wednesday] if the coach thinks there’s a chance. I’m ready to keep playing football.”
Al Nassr head coach Rudi Garcia said signing Ronaldo was “fantastic” for Saudi Arabia.
“In my life, I’ve seen that great players like Cristiano are the simplest to manage, because there’s nothing I can teach him,” the Frenchman said.
“My goal, my objective for Cristiano is to make him happy. I want him to enjoy playing with Al Nassr and winning with Al Nassr.”
Following the media conference he posed in his new Al Nassr kit on the club’s pitch in front of thousands of fans.
Ronaldo had revealed in November that he turned down a £305m Saudi Arabia move in the summer.
CRonaldo’s deal is expected to be until 2025, with the Portuguese star set to earn more than £177m per year.
The 37-year-old left Manchester United last month following an explosive television interview in which the forward said he felt betrayed by the Old Trafford club and did not respect their Dutch manager Erik ten Hag.
“I am eager to experience a new football league in a different country. Al Nassr Club’s vision is very inspiring,” the Saudi outfit quoted Ronaldo as saying.
Ronaldo will arrive in Saudi Arabia with a vast collection of club honours after a glittering spell at Spanish giants Real Madrid from 2009-18 where he won two La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, four Champions League titles and three Club World Cups.
He went on to score a club record 451 times for Real and has more than 800 senior goals overall for club and country.
Who are Al Nassr?
Formed in 1955, Al Nassr are based in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and play in the country’s top division – the Saudi Professional League (SPL), which has 18 teams.
They finished third last season, six points behind champions Al Hilal.
Al Nassr are the second-most successful team in the league with nine titles. Their last win was in the 2018-19 season. Only Al Hilal, also based in Riyadh, have won more titles (18).
Al Nassr are coached by Rudi Garcia, who previously managed Lille, Roma, Marseille and Lyon.
Al Nassr are second in the league this season after 10 rounds, two points behind leaders Al Shabab.
They must win the league this season to qualify for the 2023-24 Asian Champions League
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also claimed two Serie A titles and a Copa Italia trophy in three years at Juventus before rejoining United with whom he had won three Premier League crowns, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and Club World Cup.
Neville: Ronaldo exit tinged with sadness
Gary Neville admits he was left a bit sad that Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t be playing at the top level of football anymore after the Portuguese’s move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr
Speaking on Friday Night Football, former Manchester United captain Gary Neville said the manner of Ronaldo’s exit was sad yet inevitable as he completed a move to Al Nassr.
“We’re going to see a lot less of him, obviously,” Neville commented. “It tells us a couple of things. One, how serious Saudi Arabia are about football. They aren’t going away. They’ve invested £350m on one player. They are trying to strengthen the league.
“But for Cristiano Ronaldo, I felt as though he would want to stay, for the rest of this season at least, in one of the big leagues in Europe and score more goals. Potentially find a Champions League club.
Portuguese football expert Pedro Sepúlveda says Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr is ‘the price of forcing his exit from Manchester United’
“It tells me that the offer is staggering. Maybe the club that he wanted in Europe didn’t come in for him and this was his option to go for. An element of sadness, in terms of we’ve probably seen the last of Ronaldo playing at the top level.
“I think we could have continued to see it at Old Trafford had both parties handled things differently. That had to come to an end – it had to close before the World Cup. It was an inevitability in the end.”
Jamie Carragher added: “In some ways it’s a sad end for him. Two of the greatest players in Messi and Ronaldo – Ronaldo has finished his career during an interview with Piers Morgan and Messi has won the World Cup. It’s not the best way to go out.”
