Cristiano Ronaldo encounters more Al-Nassr frustration as his new club ‘unable to register’ him
Cristiano Ronaldo was already in for a long wait before making his Al-Nassr debut, but reports indicate that his new club has been unable to register him. This could be a further setback for the veteran forward.
Ronaldo was introduced by the Saudi Pro League club on Tuesday, less than two months after departing from Manchester United.
He hinted that he would be able to play two days later against Al-Ta’ee in a league game, but this turned out to be wishful thinking.
The Football Association handed the forward a two-match suspension in November after he slapped a young fan’s phone out of his hand during United’s Premier League match against Everton.
According to reports, this suspension will continue to apply to the Saudi competition, prolonging the wait; however, new reports appear to rub salt in the wound.
According to Barron’s, the issue involves Al-quota Nassr’s of international players. The Saudi Pro League permits clubs to register eight foreign players at all times, with seven of those eight permitted to be named to matchday squads.
The eight players on Al-roster Nassr’s before Ronaldo included Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon and former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.
According to reports from Saudi Arabia, Jaloliddin Masharapov, the Uzbek winger who has played just once this season and previously wore Ronaldo’s number seven, is the most likely player to be replaced.
According to European reports, Al-Nassr was prohibited from registering new players due to outstanding debts. Assuming that these debts have been paid, it may still be possible to register Ronaldo before the next game for which he is eligible.
The game against Al-Ta’ee on Thursday was postponed at the last minute due to heavy rain. According to a statement from Ronaldo’s club, the match has been postponed by 24 hours, so the forward will likely serve the first of his two-match suspension on Friday.
The following game for Al-Nassr will be against Al-Shabab, their closest title rival. Thursday’s 2-1 loss at Al-Wehda kept Vicente Moreno’s squad one point behind Ronaldo and his teammates.
If Ronaldo does sit out those first two games, which Al-Nassr have yet to confirm at the time of writing, he could make his debut on January 22 against Al-Ettifaq at home. This delay gives his club two weeks to resolve any potential registration issues.
“I had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs in Brazil, in Australia, in the US and even in Portugal,” Ronaldo said upon being unveiled by his new employers. “Many clubs tried to sign me but I gave my word to this club to develop not only the football but other parts of this amazing country.”
Cristiano Ronaldo encounters more Al-Nassr frustration as his new club ‘unable to register’ him
