Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo was greeted by a crowd of cheering fans outside the Regent Hong Kong yesterday, as he arrived in the city ahead of next week’s Saudi Super Cup at Hong Kong Stadium, the South China Morning Post reports.
The Al-Nassr captain emerged from his team’s bus at about 3 pm and was quickly ushered inside the hotel, with fans reporting he did not stop to engage. “I’m not disappointed – he’s just come from Saudi, it’s a very long journey,” local university student Chris Chow told the Post. “I understand why he didn’t sign any autographs.”
Chow described the 40-year-old Portuguese player, who made his name with England’s Manchester United and Spain’s Real Madrid, as “inspirational for young people”.
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The Regent is located nearby Ronaldo’s CR7 Life Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui’s K11 Musea shopping centre, which opened last month and chronicles Ronaldo’s career.
Riyadh-based Al-Nassr is one of four Saudi Pro League teams competing in the 12th edition of the tournament, which kicks off Tuesday. Ronaldo is expected to be the main draw for local football fans.
The tournament pits Al-Nassr against Al-Ittihad on 19 August, at 2 pm, then Al-Qadisiyah against Al-Ahli on 20 August at 2 pm. The final has been scheduled for Saturday, 23 August, also at 2 pm.
This year marks the Saudi Super Cup’s debut in Asia, and Hong Kong is the second city outside of the Middle East to host it. The tournament made headlines in July after frequent Cup winners Al-Hilal decided to pull out, citing player fatigue after an unusually intense season. Al-Ahli is Al-Hilal’s replacement.
