Cristiano Ronaldo was given a far from routine welcome to Saudi football as he watched Al Nassr secure victory on Friday amid heavy rain and cold.
The Portuguese would not have expected wet and windy climate in his first week in Riyadh as he waited to make his debut for the Saudi club after his record deal.
Ronaldo was not included in Al Nassr's squad for Friday's Saudi Professional League match against Al Ta'ee as he remained suspended by England's Football Association (FA) for knocking a phone out of a fan's hand after Manchester United's defeat at Everton in April.
The match between Al Nassr and Al Ta'ee was originally scheduled for Thursday at Mrsool Park but was postponed by 24 hours due to heavy rain and weather conditions impacting the stadium's electricity.
The match itself went ahead as planned for Nassr as they emerged victorious with a 2-0 result. After the game, manager Rudi Garcia tweeted: "Under a deluge and on a field at the limit of practicability, my players were admirable. They adapted intelligently and won logically, increasing the gap with our opponents at the top of the league."
The 37-year-old is in Saudi after agreeing to a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al Nassr. Ronaldo had ended his contract with Manchester United in November by mutual consent after their relation between the club and player soured.
According to reports, Ronaldo's deal, including commercial and sponsorship tie-ins, could be worth more than $200 million per year.
Meanwhile, AFP reported that Ronaldo still needs to serve his two-match ban after he is registered. Al Nassr have not yet registered Ronaldo because the Saudi club have exceeded their quota for foreign players.
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Cristiano Ronaldo smiles at his official unveiling by Al Nassr football club at Mrsool Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. AP -
New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his unveiling at Mrsool Park. Reuters -
New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo waves to the fans at Mrsool Park during his unveiling. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo waves to fans. Reuters -
New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo walks out on to the Mrsool Park pitch. Reuters -
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for his unveiling as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo speaks during a press conference for his official unveiling at Al Nassr. AP -
Cristiano Ronaldo with Al Nassr club president Musalli Al Muammar at the press conference at Mrsool Park Stadium. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo attends a press conference during his official unveiling. Getty -
Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia unveils new signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo at Mrsool Park Stadium. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo smiles during his official unveiling. AP -
Saudi club Al Nassr's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his unveiling at Mrsool Park, Riyadh. Reuters -
Al Nassr's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo with club president Musalli Al Muammar. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo during his unveiling as an Al Nassr player after his record deal with the Saudi club, which is said to be worth $200m a year. Reuters -
President of Al Nassr football club Musalli Al Muammar, centre, arrives at the Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh on Tuesday. AFP -
A man sells Cristiano Ronaldo flags and scarves ahead of his unveiling as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday. Reuters -
Vendors sell flags with Cristiano Ronaldo's number seven ahead of his official unveiling as a new Al Nassr palyer in Riyadh. AP -
A vehicle drives past a billboard welcoming Saudi football club Al Nassr's new signing - Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo - in Riyadh. AFP -
A billboard welcoming Cristiano Ronaldo in Riyadh. AFP -
Al Nassr club's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo after his arrival in Riyadh late on Monday night. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez after their arrival in Riyadh. AFP
