Tourism board of South Africa humorously acknowledges Cristiano Ronaldo's verbal slip-up during Al Nassr unveiling in Saudi Arabia following transfer, through a playful tweet
Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d'Or champion, has been invited to South Africa by the country's tourism authority, despite a minor geographical gaffe he made in his first interview as an Al-Nassr player.
Ronaldo's fame and influence make him a valuable asset for promoting South Africa as a tourist destination. His immense popularity can significantly boost tourism appeal and international visibility for the country. This invitation is a strategic move by South Africa's tourism officials to attract attention and visitors, reinforcing the country's allure.
The move is similar to other nations or cities inviting famous footballers like Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to use their celebrity status to enhance local tourism and sports culture. South Africa has a history of hosting high-profile events featuring these stars, as seen with events in India.
Ronaldo's relocation to Al-Nassr comes less than a month after leaving Manchester United by common consent. His reported income of £177m makes him the world's highest-paid football player. The Portuguese superstar has expressed pride in his decision to join Al-Nassr, stating that it was a significant choice in his life and career.
In his first interview, Ronaldo made an embarrassing gaffe, forgetting what country he was in. However, the Saudi fans who greeted him at Mrsool Park were not dampened by his mistake. The gaffe went viral, but it did not overshadow the excitement surrounding Ronaldo's move to the Saudi club.
Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr was made following his fallout with Manchester United and Portugal's World Cup exit. He had a disagreement with Portugal manager Fernando Santos during the World Cup, resulting in his relegation to the bench. Prior to the World Cup, Ronaldo made headlines with an incendiary meeting with Piers Morgan, taking shots at the owners, the manager, and a former teammate.
The South African tourist authority took advantage of Ronaldo's gaffe to promote tourism, cheekily responding to his mistake with a tweet about waiting for him to arrive, including a vacant arena and the invitation "You're extremely welcome in South Africa anytime!"
Ronaldo has expressed his intention to assist various factors, including the Al-Nassr women's team. He has denied clubs in Europe, including his home country Portugal, to join Al-Nassr. Ronaldo's team was knocked out of the World Cup by Morocco in the quarter-finals. His meeting with Piers Morgan prior to the World Cup caused a stir, leading to Old Trafford chiefs seeking legal advice over his contract.
In summary, South Africa's tourism authority prioritized Ronaldo's star power and marketing potential over his prior geographical missteps, aiming to capitalize on his global influence for tourism promotion. Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr is a significant choice in his career, and he is looking to expand important clubs with his move to the Saudi club.
- South Africa's tourism officials are capitalizing on Cristiano Ronaldo's global influence and fame, inviting him to the country, hoping to boost tourism appeal and international visibility by affiliating with the European leagues and premier-league footballers like him.
- Ronaldo's relocation to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Arabian sports scene is not only a significant choice in his career, but also an opportunity for the country to elevate its tourism brand, particularly the entertainment sector, by hosting high-profile events featuring renowned footballers.
