Fans around the world are waiting to see one of the world’s greatest ever footballers run out for his new team.
However, the wait will go on after news emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo is still banned from playing by the English Football Association, reports the UK’s Daily Mail.
At his official unveiling Ronaldo declared himself ready to play against Al-Ta’ee on Thursday after passing his medical. Al Nassr are said to have sold out tickets for the match, but fans will not be able to see their new hero play due to FIFA rules on match suspensions.
League leaders Al Nassr face seventh place Al-Ta’ee on Thursday, but will have to do it without their new star signing.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still banned from playing having been sanctioned by the English FA following an incident in April 2022 when he was still a Man Utd player. Due to FIFA rules the ban will transfer to the star player’s new club.
After Man Utd’s 1-0 defeat by Everton in the English Premier League, back in April, Ronaldo slapped a phone out of the hand of a spectator as he exited the pitch.
There followed an investigation by football authorities in England and Ronaldo was handed a $60,000 fine and a two-match playing suspension after a hearing in November.

An independent FA panel found Ronaldo guilty of “a deliberate and forceful slap down” which was “a petulant act”.
The Portugal star left Man Utd before the suspension period began and the punishment is transferred to his new league, reports the Daily Mail.
Article 12.1 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players says: “Any disciplinary sanction of up to four matches or up to three months that has been imposed on a player by the former association but not yet (entirely) served by the time of the transfer shall be enforced by the new association at which the player has been registered in order for the sanction to be served at domestic level.”
It rules the footballing legend out of Thursday’s game as well as Saturday’s top of the table clash at second place Al-Shabab.
After the phone slap incident CR7 took to Instagram to apologise for his outburst.
He said: “It’s never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing. Nevertheless, we always have to be respectful, patient and set the example for all the youngsters who love the beautiful game.
“I would like to apologise for my outburst and, if possible, I would like to invite this supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford as a sign of fair-play and sportsmanship.”
Al Nassr’s first available fixture for Cristiano Ronaldo will be the home match against Ettifaq on January 21.