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Al Nassr's rivals 'are stocking Lionel Messi shirts' after Cristiano Ronaldo transfer

Home> Football

Updated 17:43 2 Jan 2023 GMTPublished 17:38 2 Jan 2023 GMT

Al Nassr's rivals 'are stocking Lionel Messi shirts' after Cristiano Ronaldo transfer

Al Nassr's rivals, Al Hilal, appear to be stocking Lionel Messi shirts following Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Al Nassr's rivals appear to be stocking Lionel Messi shirts in response to Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo has jetted off to the Middle East after signing a two-and-a-half year contract with Al Nassr, who are currently leading the Saudi Pro League table.

He was a free agent after his Manchester United was terminated by mutual consent, but now Ronaldo is set to earn a whopping £173 million per season with commercial fees factored in.

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Al Nassr fans are full of excitement for the signing and chanted 'Ronaldo and 'SIU' in the seventh minute of their last game against Al Khaleej.

But the club's rivals Al-Hilal have reacted by having 'Messi 10' shirts in thelr club shop, showing where their allegiance lies in the age-old debate.

A picture of the Messi shirts in Al Hilal's blue colours has been circulating on social media, generating reaction aplenty.

Ronaldo and Messi, with 12 Ballon d'Ors between them, could have one last showdown as Paris Saint-Germain are set to play against a combined XI from Al Nassr and Al Hilal in a mid-season friendly.

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Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Al Nassr's manager Rudi Garcia joked that he wanted to sign Messi before settling on Ronaldo.

"First I tried to take Messi," the former Roma and Lyon boss said.

Ronaldo has moved out of Europe for the first time and his contract includes a clause whereby he will serve as ambassador for Saudi Arabia's 2030 World Cup bid.

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His transfer comes as a contradiction given previous comments where he said he "finish [his career] with dignity".

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

He had a dig at former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez when he was ending his career in Qatar with Al Sadd a few years back.

But Ronaldo feels he has nothing else left to achieve in Europe and is now ready for a new challenge.

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"I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football," he said after his signing was confirmed.

"I feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia. Al Nassr's vision is very inspiring and impressive.

"I look forward to a different league experience in a different country. I am excited to join my teammates as soon as possible."

Still, there is talk that Ronaldo has a clause in his contract which means he could be allowed to return to Europe on loan with Newcastle United if they qualify for next season's Champions League.

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Newcastle, currently third in the Premier League, are of course backed by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.

Ronaldo still needs to undergo a medical but could make his Nassr debut on Thursday.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy & Twitter @nhrafin_00

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia, Paris Saint-Germain

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

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@joshlawless_

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