The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who played for Manchester United until the World Cup, will arrive on Monday night with his family, club spokesman Al-Walid Al-Muhaidib told AFP.
the portuguese will be received at the Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh.
The 37-year-old forward left Manchester through the back door, after an interview at the end of November in which he stated that he “no longer respects” his manager Erik Ten Hag, also attacking the club’s leaders.
In the World Cup in Qatar, he was eliminated in the quarterfinals with Portugal, defeated by Morocco (1-0).
The signing of a world star, with a contract until 2025, is the latest episode in the efforts of rich Saudi Arabia to position itself in high-level sport, after having received F1, boxing or golf, and buying the club English Newcastle. Some denounce a “sportswashing” strategy, an attempt by the conservative regime to push criticism of its balance on human rights into the background.
In a tweet, Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz ben Turki Al-Faisal vowed to “support other clubs seeking quality contracts with international stars.”
Ronaldo won five Champions Leagues (2008 with Manchester United, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 with Real Madrid), national titles in Italy (2019, 2020) with Juventus, in Spain (2012, 2017) with Real Madrid and in England (2007, 2008, 2009) with Manchester United. With Portugal, he won Euro 2016.
The Portuguese is also the top scorer of all time in the Champions League, with 140 goals. In Qatar, he became the first player to score at least one goal in five consecutive World Cups.