Cristiano Ronaldo, new Al Nassr player (Photo: Marca).

Havana, December 31 (RHC)-- Cristiano Ronaldo, winner of five Ballon d'Or awards, will defend the colors of Saudi soccer club Al Nassr until 2025, the team announced Friday on social networks.

Cristiano became a free agent in November after leaving Manchester United due to strong statements on television against the owners and coach Erik ten Hag.

The Portuguese striker, who turns 38 in February, made a radical change in his career that points to the final stretch in the Saudi squad.

The Red Devils' management and the striker reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract and the player became a free agent.

At the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Cristiano suffered a big blow when the Portuguese national team lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarterfinals to begin the farewell of his international career, in a World Cup in which he also played a secondary role.

He also left with the record of being the only player to score in five World Cups.

"Ronaldo's arrival will inspire our league, our nation and future generations to give their best," said the Saudi club's statement.

The Portuguese scored 145 goals in 346 appearances for United, where he returned in 2021 after three years with Italian side Juventus and, prior to that, spent 11 seasons with Spain's Real Madrid.