Ronaldo’s Arrival in Iran: A Cause for Celebration
Introduction
Iranians have found little cause for celebration lately, with the economy on its knees and the country under international sanctions. However, the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of world football’s biggest stars, has sparked excitement in the nation. Ronaldo, along with his teammates from Saudi club Al-Nassr, landed in Tehran on Monday for their AFC Champions League match against Iranian side Persepolis. This article explores the impact of Ronaldo’s visit to Iran and the anticipation it has generated among the country’s predominantly young population.
The Significance of Ronaldo’s Visit
Ronaldo, a 38-year-old veteran, has had a successful career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the Portuguese national team. His signing for Al-Nassr in December for a reported $200 million per year solidified his status as one of the top footballers in the world. With more than 30 major trophies and the title of top men’s international goalscorer, Ronaldo’s arrival in Iran is a noteworthy event.
The Impact on Iranian Football
Football is extremely popular in Iran, with the national team regularly competing in the FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo’s previous encounter with Iran in the 2006 tournament in Germany, where Portugal emerged victorious, further adds to the excitement surrounding his visit. Persepolis, Iran’s most successful team, boasts a large and passionate fan base. Despite the AFC banning fans from attending the match at the Azadi Stadium, the disappointment is overshadowed by the anticipation of witnessing Ronaldo’s skills on Iranian soil.
A Rare Occurrence
Visits from major international sports teams or top footballers are rare in Iran, making Ronaldo’s presence even more special. Pejman Raahbar, editor-in-chief of sports website Varzesh 3, highlights Ronaldo’s global popularity as one of the most followed people on Instagram and emphasizes the significance of his visit to a country starved for joy and entertainment.
Humor in the Face of Difficulties
Iranians have developed a culture of humor to cope with their social difficulties, and Ronaldo’s arrival is no exception. Social media is abuzz with jokes and speculations about Ronaldo’s haircut, his partner Georgina’s interaction with Iranian customs, and other lighthearted topics. This humor serves as a coping mechanism and reflects the resilience of Iranians in the face of challenges.
Saudi-Iran Rivalry and Reconciliation
Al-Nassr’s visit to Iran has historical significance, as it is the first by a Saudi club in seven years. Iran and Saudi Arabia are fierce regional rivals, but a surprise reconciliation in March helped ease tensions. Ronaldo’s status as one of the jewels of Saudi Arabia’s rise in football further reinforces the importance of his visit.
Saudi Arabia’s Ambitions in World Football
Saudi clubs have made significant investments in the football industry, surpassing many major European leagues in player spending. The net €891 million spent during the last transfer window demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a prominent force in world football. The signings of Neymar, Benzema, Mané, and the acquisition of Newcastle United by a consortium including the Saudi Public Investment Fund reinforce this trend.
Controversy and Social Media Access
Despite the excitement surrounding Ronaldo’s visit, there have been moments of controversy. Iran’s tourism minister’s joke about Ronaldo finding an alternative to Instagram messaging drew attention to the limited social media access in the country. The blockage of platforms like Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp remains a contentious issue, and Iranians used the opportunity to educate Ronaldo about circumventing these restrictions using private networks.
Conclusion
Ronaldo’s arrival in Iran has brought much-needed excitement to a country grappling with economic hardships and international sanctions. The anticipation of witnessing his skills on the football field has captivated fans and generated humor and speculation on social media platforms. Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in world football is further emphasized by Ronaldo’s role as one of the jewels of their rise. Despite controversy and limited social media access, Iranians continue to find ways to adapt and celebrate the much-anticipated visit of one of the world’s greatest footballers.
Summary
Ronaldo’s visit to Iran has caused widespread excitement in a nation facing economic struggles and international sanctions. Iranians, predominantly young and craving joy and entertainment, have eagerly anticipated the arrival of one of the world’s most famous football stars. Ronaldo’s successful career, including his stint with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the Portuguese national team, has solidified his reputation as a top player. Football is extremely popular in Iran, making Ronaldo’s visit significant for both his fans and the nation’s football culture. Despite the AFC banning fans from the match, the anticipation remains high. Iranians have adopted humor as a coping mechanism, with jokes circulating on social media platforms about Ronaldo’s visit. Ronaldo’s presence also highlights the complex relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with his role as one of Saudi Arabia’s prized assets in their rise to prominence in world football. The controversy surrounding limited social media access in Iran has also been highlighted during Ronaldo’s visit. Iranian fans have used this opportunity to educate the football star on the workings of private networks to circumvent these restrictions. Overall, Ronaldo’s visit has injected a much-needed dose of excitement and celebration into the lives of Iranians, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of the nation in the face of difficulties.
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Iranians have found little cause for celebration lately, with the economy on its knees and the country under international sanctions. This partly explains the excitement surrounding the arrival of one of world football’s biggest stars, as Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to make his debut on Iranian soil.
A private jet carrying the five-time Portuguese world player and his teammates from Saudi club Al-Nassr landed in Tehran on Monday ahead of their AFC Champions League match against Iranian side Persepolis on Tuesday evening.
Ronaldo, now a 38-year-old veteran, enjoyed a successful career with Manchester United and Real Madrid, as well as the Portuguese national team, before signing for Al-Nassr in December for a reported $200 million per year. He has more than 30 major trophies to his name and is the top men’s international goalscorer in world football – a title he won in 2021 against Iran’s Ali Daei.
Even opposing fans take note when they see a player known for his goal-scoring prowess, free kicks and famous mid-air pirouette celebration line up against their favorite team. But for the Islamic republic’s predominantly young population, depressed and with an unsatisfied thirst for joy and entertainment, the wait is even greater.
“Ronaldo is one of the most important people in the world and the most followed person on Instagram,” said Pejman Raahbar, editor-in-chief of sports website Varzesh 3. “In Iran, visits from major international sports teams or Top footballers are rare, which is why there was so much excitement.”
Football is extremely popular in Iran and the national team regularly competes in the FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo scored as Portugal beat Iran in the 2006 tournament in Germany.
Persepolis, Iran’s most successful team, has a large and passionate fan base. But they will be away on Tuesday, with the match at the 100,000-capacity Azadi Stadium taking place behind closed doors due to an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ban over licensing rules.
The ban on fans is a huge disappointment, but football fans are still eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Portuguese star. “I always play the role of Ronaldo in Fifa video games,” said Rayan, 27. “When I was younger, I would often direct message him, hoping we would make friends and he would buy me an island,” he joked.
Iranians have developed a culture of humor to cope with their social difficulties, with even the most sensitive topics being approached lightly and jokes quickly going viral. The arrival of Ronaldo is no exception.
Messages have been circulating on social media about what kind of haircut Ronaldo would sport and whether his partner Georgina should go through the women’s gate at the airport or be blocked from sharing a room because they are not officially married .
Ronaldo will spend around 36 hours in Tehran, with an entire floor of the Espinas Palace Tehran hotel allocated to his Saudi team, and a suite reserved for their star player. Iranian soccer fans, some of whom wore Ronaldo’s CR7 logo on their jerseys, gathered at Imam Khomeini Airport on Monday as the team’s plane landed, and larger crowds gathered in front of the luxury hotel in the hope of seeing their idol.
Ghazal, 25, sighed at the intense excitement she felt before the match. “I’m a Persepolis fan, but I’ve also always admired Ronaldo. I’m officially torn between who to support now.
Al-Nassr’s visit is the first to Iran by a Saudi club in seven years. The two countries are fierce regional rivals, although a surprise reconciliation in March under Chinese auspices helped defuse tensions.
Ronaldo is one of the jewels of Saudi Arabia’s rise to the world’s most popular sport. Its leading clubs have spent more on players this summer than those of almost every major league in football’s European heartland.
Saudi clubs spent a net €891 million during the last transfer window, according to transfermarkt.co.uk, underlining the country’s ambitions to become a force in world football. Brazilian Neymar, Frenchman Karim Benzema and Senegalese Sadio Mané are among the new faces who have signed big contracts to play in the Saudi Pro League this season.
English Premier League side Newcastle United are also back in the lucrative UEFA Champions League, having been bought by a consortium that includes the Saudi Public Investment Fund. The AFC Championship is the regional equivalent of Europe’s most prestigious tournament.
Ronaldo’s visit was not without controversy. When Iran’s tourism minister joked that the player should find an alternative to messaging his 605 million followers on Instagram, the country’s former communications minister said it was a reminder that authorities should seek to facilitate Iranians’ access to social media.
Instagram, along with Telegram, WhatsApp and many other sites and apps, remains blocked in the Islamic Republic. However, in true Iranian style, Ronaldo’s Instagram feed was flooded this week with advice on how to navigate Iran, including advice in Farsi on the most effective private networks for circumventing the rules.
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