Cristiano Ronaldo was immediately handed the captaincy and his iconic No.7 shirt when he moved to the Middle East to play for Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr after the World Cup
Al Nassr midfielder Jaloliddin Masharipov defended the club’s decision to hand Cristiano Ronaldo the captain’s armband, immediately after he arrived.
The club took the captaincy off Abdullah Madu and handed it to the Real Madrid legend when he sealed his move to the Saudi Arabian giants. Ronaldo has found life in the Middle East difficult ever since he put pen to paper on a two year deal understood to be record breaking £177million per year.
He scored his first competitive goal to secure a 2-2 draw against Al Fateh from the penalty spot, but is yet to find the back of the net in open play. And while he appears to be finding his feet on the pitch, Masharipov said there were no qualms when Ronaldo was made captain.
“It’d be a little strange if the rest of the players are captaining Ronaldo,” the Uzbekistan midfielder told Sports.ru.
“We expected it. Our former captain willingly handed over the armband [to Cristiano Ronaldo] without any problems. I think this is the best solution. It cannot be otherwise.”
Madu was not the only one who had to give up something handed to him by the club. Masharipov also had to give his No.7 shirt to the former Manchester United player.
Yet, the now No.77 poured cold water over any suggestions he was unhappy about the treatment Ronaldo has been getting. “When [Cristiano] Ronaldo arrived, many people spread rumours about my departure from the team, all kinds of false news came out,” the 29-year-old explained.
“Before Cristiano’s arrival, many people asked me, ‘Will you give him the No. 7?’ How can you not give it?! He is Cristiano Ronaldo!” Such players should always be respected! After giving my number, many people assumed that I would leave the team. I gave my number without any problem. There was no talk of leaving. Both the club and the coach wanted to see me in the team.
“I have a contract with the team. I only changed my number because Ronaldo came. This guy is one of the two best players in the world. There’s no need to talk much.”
