Cristiano Ronaldo’s highly anticipated Al Nassr debut has been postponed after the Saudi club failed to register him due to having too many foreign players in their squad.
Ronaldo, who is currently serving a two match ban from the Football Association after smashing a phone from an Everton fan last April, can now wait longer to make his first appearance for his new club as Al-Nassr. must reorganize their team to accommodate their marquee signing.
“This is why I’m here”️🎙️
Relive @Cristiano‘s incredible hero welcome to Mrsool Park and watch his first exclusive interview as an Al Nassr player ⭐#HalaRonaldo 💛 pic.twitter.com/YdxFEP0bNB
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 5, 2023
Ronaldo was fined £50,000 and given a two match suspension, with the suspension appearing to carry through to his new club.
Al-Nassr currently has eight foreign players in his squad, which is the maximum allowed under the rules of the Saudi league.
No one wants to be our enemy 😎 pic.twitter.com/Dva4mkq7kM
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 4, 2023
Al Nassr’s overseas contingent includes former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, Brazilian duo Luiz Gustavo and Anderson Talisca, and Cameroonian striker Vincent Aboubakar.
All smiles in Riyadh tonight 😁💛 pic.twitter.com/qQwOxlxHEO
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 4, 2023
“Al Nassr has not yet registered him because there is no vacancy for a foreign player,” an Al-Nassr official told AFP.
Good evening, Riyadh! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kkwfyIsb4Y
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 4, 2023
“A foreign player must leave to register Ronaldo, either resell or terminate the contract by mutual consent.”
According to local reports in Saudi Arabia, Jaloliddin Masharipov, who recently changed his shirt number from No. 7 to No. 77 to account for Ronaldo, is the leading candidate to make way for the 37-year-old.
Al-Nassr was scheduled to play Al-Ta’ee on Thursday before the game was postponed after heavy rain in Riyadh.