Saudis buy Ronaldo Tshirts following Al Nassr deal

• Cristiano Ronaldo signs two-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr.
• Ronaldo agreed to terms for more than 200 million euros on Friday.
• T-shirts sold out within hours at the club’s official kit store in Riyadh.

Crowds went to a football gear store in Riyadh just hours after Cristiano Ronaldo signed a two-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr to purchase the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s new club jersey.

Abdulmohsen al-Ayyban, 41, and his nine-year-old son, Nayef, were among those queuing on Saturday at Al Nassr club’s official kit store, where staffers were busy imprinting Ronaldo’s name on t-shirts.

“We are witnessing a historic moment,” al-Ayyban told AFP of the deal which he believes “will elevate the Saudi football league”.

Ronaldo agreed to terms with Al Nassr in a transaction for more than 200 million euros on Friday.

Nayef’s face was bright with pride as he raised his new jersey aloft.

A dream has come true for the young Saudi.

“I have always wanted Al Nassr to acquire the best player in the world,” he said. “I will make sure to watch all his games at the stadium.”

Ronaldo, 37, is scheduled to appear in front of fans next Thursday, according to an Al Nassr club official.

Ronaldo is the latest high-priced athletic jewel obtained by Saudi Arabia to gleam their international image.

At home, the agreement fueled public fervour, which had already peaked with the kingdom’s shock victory over eventual World Cup winners Argentina in the early stages of the 2022 World Cup.

An extraordinary rush began at the Al Nassr kit store on Friday night, hours before the formal announcement, when reports of the deal were leaked to the local press.

According to Abdulqader, the store manager, queues snaked all the way out the door and have only expanded since.

T-shirt supplies are practically depleted, forcing buyers to bring their own in to have the player’s name put on them – a procedure that may take up to two days.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen something like it,” Abdulqader told Media.

Also Read

Cristiano Ronaldo signs two-year deal with Saudi Arabian club

Cristiano Ronaldo signs two-year deal with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. Portugal...