Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut for his new club has been delayed, the player who signed for Al Nassr was supposed to play his first game for the club today but his debut will now be on 22 January against Ettifa. The information was confirmed by the head coach of the club Rudi Garcia. Portugal forward was unveiled by the Saudi club last week but is suspended after knocking a phone out of a fan’s hand following Manchester United’s defeat by Everton in April.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Debut to be Delayed
The 37-year-old missed the first game of the Football Association’s two-match ban on Friday. But he could feature in an exhibition match against Paris St-Germain. Lionel Messi’s side will take on a team made up of players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal in Riyadh on 19 January, and Garcia told L’Equip that Ronaldo is likely to feature. “It [Ronaldo’s debut] won’t be with the Al Nassr jersey. It will be a mix between Al Hilal and Al Nassr,” he said.
He will make his first Al Nassr appearance in the Saudi Pro League later that week against Ettifaq. Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed a lucrative deal with the Saudi club until 2025 reportedly worth more than £177m per year, will miss their league game against Al Shabab on Saturday.
Former Lille and Lyon coach Garcia said he hopes Ronaldo can rediscover the enjoyment of playing football after a difficult two-month period during which his United contract was terminated and Portugal lost in the World Cup quarter-finals.
