Amnesty International have urged Cristiano Ronaldo discuss human rights issues in Saudi Arabia after his eye-watering move to Al-Nassr.
The 37-year-old joined the Saudi club last month after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United and will reportedly earn £175m a year.
And the human rights group encouraged Ronaldo to use his position to highlight important issues and call out Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record.
Saudi Arabia has been accused of using sportswashing after several high-profile sporting events have been held in the country such as heavyweight boxing bouts, a Formula One Grand Prix while they have funded the controversial LIV Golf Breakaway League.
Newcastle United are also owned by a Saudi-backed group.
And Amnesty International argued Ronaldo's signing fitted into this wider pattern of sportswashing in the kingdom.
In a statement, Amnesty International's Middle East researcher Dana Ahmed said: 'It is highly likely that the Saudi authorities will promote Ronaldo's presence in the country as a means of distracting from the country's appalling human rights record.
'Instead of offering uncritical praise of Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo should use his considerable public platform to draw attention to human rights issues in the country.
'Saudi Arabia regularly executes people for crimes including murder, rape and drug smuggling.
'The authorities are also continuing their crackdown on freedom of expression and association, with heavy prison sentences handed down to human rights defenders, women's rights activists and other political activists.
'Cristiano Ronaldo shouldn't allow his fame and celebrity status to become a tool of Saudi sportswashing – he should use his time at Al-Nassr to speak out about the myriad of human rights issues in the country.'
Ronaldo was officially unveiled as an Al-Nassr player on Tuesday following the agreement of a £175million-a-year contract.
Ronaldo was introduced as 'the world's greatest footballer' in front of 25,000 raucous supporters at Mrsool Park in Riyadh, to a backdrop of fireworks, flares and strobe lighting.
And, at his unveiling, he had spoken about promoting his new country of residence.
He had said: 'This contract is unique but I’m a unique player, so for me it’s normal.
'I gave my word to this club to develop not only the football but other parts of this amazing country.'
Nadadeimu
0
Al nassr
YoungMakito10
1
for me R7 shouldn't get involved with any of these issues because he isn't a government
bucaimopuy
2
he's there to play football not to campaign for president
Seal231
0
kkkllkkk ronaldo don't even care of human rights he keep broking law ...rape and abuse of an autistic teneeger broking his phone and didn't even call to the mother to say .....I'm sorry
You are a disgrace clown 🤡
Vowcilt
0
kkkllkkk that selfish arrogant don't care ...he took 2 of his child's from their own mothers
Vowcilt
0
kkkllkkk ronaldo don't even care of human rights he keep broking law ...rape and abuse of an autistic teneeger broking his phone and didn't even call to the mother to say .....I'm sorry
Rickytommy
0
football and politics are two different stuffs
huccdnoz
1
He went there for football reasons; not for activism or politics.
Wusadlpruz
1
The same media are here again, pretending to be loyal fans of Cristiano. Their sole aim is to land him in trouble so that they can make up stories. Media should leave this man alone and allow him focus on his football
18597076(deleted)
0
Amnesty International ,,, did they call Israel for human right???🤔🤔🤔
Because he’s in Saudi Arabia, not Isreal. You clearly can’t be bothered to even look up what Amnesty International is doing in Isreal.
omochris
1
That's none of Cr7's business. He is there to play football, so let him focus on football. @autty; if you so much care, go and intervene yourself.
Zuwbdimrtz
1
Is that what he was recruited to oversee? CR7 is primarily in Saudi Arabia to play forward and he's definitely not Amnesty's ambassador.
18597076(deleted)
0
if he do that then he should also talk about NATO and usa bringing the war
Yeah! You’re right. Ronaldo should be talking about how NATO has come to the defense of poor Ukraine.
18597076(deleted)
0
even Ronaldo himself must follow all their rules and regulations in other to avoid being harass , jail or even been kill, even Ronaldo himself knows it before signing the contract. because in saudi they respect their laws and follow it accordingly, may Almighty Allah guild him through.
I thought there was controversy regarding Ronaldo and Georgina living together unmarried? That seems to have had an exception for them.
cutaimors
2
what did amnesty did wen pundits are attack him or is not a human being amnesty that supports African leaders to milk their country resources
fembcmsuz
0
Why should he?
Fauzisma
0
Amnesty if you want cr7 to leave before the end of his contract tell him to do what you want Saudi Government dont care for 24 ours cr7 will be out of Saudi
Natanya
4
Yes because they think Ronaldo is getting paid to promote the west agenda 🙄. Let's be real the guy is there to play football and do promotions for the club and country he's not there to work for human rights. If they wanted him to work for them they should have paid him to. What I find so funny about these people is that they visit these places on vacation and do business with these people and never said or did anything but as soon as world cup started human rights crawling from under every rock and through every hole. Football is about love, enjoy, entertainment, bringing people together... They need to find another way to push their agenda and leave Ronaldo and football out of it.
SomeRandomGuy99
0
This contract is unique because money is unique 😂🤣
bupdeiklmo
0
Amnesty International ,,, did they call Israel for human right???🤔🤔🤔
EXACTLY
vimabdmorz
0
Which star player's move away from European football was the most surprising? 🤔
[image]
Ronaldo is the only one who spoilt his own reputation and joins the Saudi club.
DIEGOGH
6
The west think they own the world stupid countries Saudi Arabia will promote her culture not what others cherish
skychilee
3
I true we human on earth are of different races, different background and different culture. Please do stop using your own judgement which is purely based on your own value and view, to criticize others. Your angles and guides are not the only rules in the world. Do learn how to respect and understand others more, and to learn and understand their culture and religions. You have no right to pinpoint others and force them to adopt your system and take your viewpoints as the only rules on earth. Please mind your own business coz I don’t see your entire races are enjoying your said value and right as you highlighted in your countries and regions. Besides, it is a general accepted practice, to keep politics away from sport and leave our sportsman alone.
Willhen
0
Are they NUTS! u think they pay him more than €3M to do this?
vimabdmorz
1
That would be the craziest thing to do. Saudi club paying Ronaldo £175 million per year, and want him to talk about human rights to them.
Evex
3
Human right did UK has good human rights
Vino97
1
Which star player's move away from European football was the most surprising? 🤔
[image]
Oscar. He was too young.
Weeaclorz
4
last time i check CR7 is a player not not a politician
alhabibiwallah6
4
Amnesty International ,,, did they call Israel for human right???🤔🤔🤔
Beautifulboy
1
Which star player's move away from European football was the most surprising? 🤔
vehbcdor
1
Saudi Arabia is giving justice to the victims... unlike the rest of the world.. Ronaldo doesn't have to do jack squad!
bepbdntuy
2
go ask Fifa and Messi and leave Ronaldo alone
samabckntz
4
He is a professional footballer not a damn politician to secure your thoughts he is living in a country guided by laws. And follow the rules by the it is coming from die hard messi fan
Miockmnt
1
if he do that then he should also talk about NATO and usa bringing the war
Kingblue545
3
Let him be please, he went thre for sport not to do your job
Gunners4ever❤
5
Ronaldo went to Saudi Arabia to play football and earn some retirement money. Keep him out of such trivial matters he's already gone through a lot recently.
best190
1
he us just a player not more can u guys let him be in peace
Yuadelopsy
2
even Ronaldo himself must follow all their rules and regulations in other to avoid being harass , jail or even been kill, even Ronaldo himself knows it before signing the contract. because in saudi they respect their laws and follow it accordingly, may Almighty Allah guild him through.
AlNasserfan
3
what kind of human right ,your talking about?
isahriyo
4
Stupidity
royaltyking
3
Other countries are fked in their own way like usa
lepceipruy
3
stupidity....
Mitchello2
4
After collecting his first pay cheque, ronaldo is like pls support sport washing