Cristiano Ronaldo made to wait for Al Nassr debut while he serves ban

Portuguese superstar must see out two-game suspension from his time at previous club Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo smiles at his official unveiling by Al Nassr football club at Mrsool Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. AP

New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his unveiling at Mrsool Park. Reuters

New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo waves to the fans at Mrsool Park during his unveiling. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo waves to fans. Reuters

New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo walks out on to the Mrsool Park pitch. Reuters

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for his unveiling as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo speaks during a press conference for his official unveiling at Al Nassr. AP

Cristiano Ronaldo with Al Nassr club president Musalli Al Muammar at the press conference at Mrsool Park Stadium. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo attends a press conference during his official unveiling. Getty

Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia unveils new signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo at Mrsool Park Stadium. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo smiles during his official unveiling. AP

Saudi club Al Nassr's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his unveiling at Mrsool Park, Riyadh. Reuters

Al Nassr's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo with club president Musalli Al Muammar. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo during his unveiling as an Al Nassr player after his record deal with the Saudi club, which is said to be worth $200m a year. Reuters

President of Al Nassr football club Musalli Al Muammar, centre, arrives at the Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh on Tuesday. AFP

A man sells Cristiano Ronaldo flags and scarves ahead of his unveiling as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday. Reuters

Vendors sell flags with Cristiano Ronaldo's number seven ahead of his official unveiling as a new Al Nassr palyer in Riyadh. AP

A vehicle drives past a billboard welcoming Saudi football club Al Nassr's new signing - Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo - in Riyadh. AFP

A billboard welcoming Cristiano Ronaldo in Riyadh. AFP

Al Nassr club's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo after his arrival in Riyadh late on Monday night. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez after their arrival in Riyadh. AFP

Al Nassr fans will have to wait to see Cristiano Ronaldo in action as the new superstar signing serves a two-match ban.

The Portuguese star was set to make his Al Nassr bow against Al Ta'ee in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday following his grand unveiling on Tuesday at the club's Mrsool Park.

However, Ronaldo will now be forced to miss his new club's next two matches while he serves a ban.

The suspension stems from his time at previous club Manchester United. Disciplinary action was taken against him by the English Football Association following United's 1-0 defeat against Everton last April.

The 37-year-old was found guilty of improper and violent conduct after he smashed an Everton fan’s phone from his hand after United lost at Goodison Park.

Al Nassr's match at home against mid-table Al Ta'ee has been sold out in anticipation of Ronaldo making his debut but the club's fans will now have to wait until at least the match against Ettifaq on January 21 to see the former Real Madrid and Juventus star in action.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, 37, agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al Nassr after terminating his contract at United in November by mutual consent following a falling out with the club hierarchy.

Reports suggest the deal, including commercial and sponsorship tie-ins, could be worth more than $200 million per year.