By James Robson
Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo has just completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, but made a slip up during his official presentation in Riyadh when mistakenly saying he had “come to South Africa.”
Perhaps the Portugal great was disorientated by the whirlwind nature of his arrival at his new club, which saw him fly out on Monday night, before undergoing a medical the next morning and then being greeted by thousands of cheering fans at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium.
Cristiano Ronaldo greets his new fans in Saudi Arabia.Credit:Getty
“For me it is not the end of my career to come to South Africa,” Ronaldo said at a news conference before stepping out on the field at the 25,000-capacity stadium. “I really don’t worry about what people say. I took my decision and I have responsibility to change that, but for me I’m really, really happy to be here.”
Ronaldo went on to outline his reasons for joining Al Nassr and said he had turned down “many clubs” around the world to complete one of the most surprising moves in the sport’s history.
“I want to give a different vision of this country and football. This is why I took this opportunity,” he said. “I know the league is very competitive. People don’t know that, but I know because I saw many games,”
Ronaldo has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to play in the Saudi Pro League and will reportedly earn up to A$300 million a year.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward also said is ready to play straight away with Al Nassr facing Al Ta’ee on Thursday.
However, the 37-year-old Ronaldo was handed a two-match suspension by the English Football Association in November for knocking a mobile phone out of the hand of a supporter after a game against Everton last April.
He had already left United by the time of the ruling, but the FA said the suspension would be transferred to any new club.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League a quickfire double to Harry Kane ensured Tottenham kept pace with the top four and helped Spurs to a 4-0 win over London rivals Crystal Palace.
Tottenham goalscorers Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Matt Doherty.Credit:Getty
With the match scoreless at half-time, Kane scored in the 48th and 53rd minutes to lift Tottenham to 33 points, two behind fourth-placed Manchester United who have a game in hand.
Matt Doherty and Son Heung-min were the other scorers for Spurs.
“It was a really important win. We have not come back (from Qatar) and got the best results. It was nice to put that performance in,” Kane told Sky Sports after Tottenham chalked up their first win since action in the Premier League resumed following the six-week break for the World Cup.
“It was about moving the ball quick, getting runs in behind and then quality in the final third. It was great to keep a clean sheet.
“We scored at an important time in the game. We have done well this season in terms of when we get one goal, a second is not too far behind. It is a really good win.”
Earlier, a 27th-minute goal to Taiwo Awoniyi gave Nottingham Forest some breathing space and a 1-0 win over last-placed Southampton. Forest moved two points clear of the drop zone, with each of the top six sides now having played 18 matches. West Ham remain in trouble after a 2-2 draw with Leeds and are one spot above the relegation places with 15 points.
