By Ghadeer Abdullah Al-Tayyar – Saudi consultant and writer

On a symbolic night, amid the chants of the Yellow faithful, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo raised his hand in a gesture that felt like goodbye. The Al-Nassr vs. Al-Khaleej match was no ordinary league fixture; it carried scenes and hints that may well write the final chapter in the career of one of football’s greatest legends.

Even on an off-day, Ronaldo remains an icon whose name is etched in gold in the annals of glory. His stint with Al-Nassr has been far more than a contractual adventure; it is a story of mutual affection between a club unaccustomed to hosting such greatness and a player who was met with love, respect, and awe.

He may not yet have lifted domestic silverware with Al-Nassr, but Ronaldo’s very presence in Saudi Arabia is a trophy in itself. He has spoken proudly of the Kingdom and introduced the world to the Roshn Saudi League, now broadcast in more than 150 countries—seven times the reach it enjoyed before his arrival. This is no mere sporting deal; it is a broader national project that has reshaped global perceptions of Saudi football.

Ronaldo, who turned 39 last 5 February and opened his forties by scoring against Al-Fayha, is still chasing the dream of his 1,000th career goal. He currently stands at 924 official goals for clubs and country—forty years of achievements, lessons, and rare professionalism that offer a masterclass in patience and determination.

In one touching moment, his mother was seen applauding from the stands, cheering with love and pride—right here in Saudi Arabia. It felt as if we were saying: yes, he is among us; he is one of us. With his awareness, presence, media influence, and undimmed passion, Ronaldo has become the foremost ambassador for Saudi sport.

When he posted his first photo in an Al-Nassr jersey on Instagram, it drew nearly 26 million likes in just 15 hours, ranking among the platform’s most liked images of 2022. From that very first moment, he captured millions of hearts and took up residence in the collective sporting memory.

Today, as talk of his departure grows louder, we have only gratitude—gratitude to those who brought him here, to those who gave us the chance to watch a living legend grace our pitches, and to those who made football in Saudi Arabia more exciting, more serious, and more respected.

The question remains: is the farewell close?
Perhaps. Yet what we know for certain is that Ronaldo will live on—in memories, in hearts, and in the pages of Saudi sporting history—as the fans’ eternal beloved.

Thank you, Cristiano… you will remain immortal.

Share

Comments

Add your comment