Cristiano Ronaldo held his first training session in Saalfelden on Friday, drawing swarms of fans to the area. Many gathered outside the luxury hotel where the football star is staying, hoping to catch a glimpse or score an autograph.
“He’s been my idol since I was a kid. We drove for hours just to see him,” said one enthusiastic fan who managed to watch the morning practice. Another visitor added, “My son is a huge Ronaldo fan, and we’re hoping to get at least a quick look at him,” as he and his child waited near the training grounds.
Ronaldo Under Heavy Security
Security around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is extremely tight. Ronaldo is being shielded by bodyguards to ensure he can train without disturbances. Fans’ best shot at seeing him up close may come during Al-Nassr’s upcoming friendly matches.
The Saudi club is scheduled to face SK St. Johann in Tirol on Saturday. Next week, they’ll take on Grödig and Toulouse, with three warm-up games in total planned during their Austrian training camp.
Uncertainty Around Ronaldo’s Match Appearances
It’s still unclear whether Ronaldo will take to the pitch in any of the matches. That hasn’t stopped fans from snapping up tickets, though—black market prices have soared to €600 and up per seat. The team is staying in Saalfelden until August 4, and in the meantime, “Ronaldo Mania” has firmly taken hold in the Pinzgau region.
Despite earlier reports suggesting his arrival would be Friday, Ronaldo actually touched down at Salzburg Airport on Thursday evening just after 7:00 PM, flying in privately from Madrid. He was quickly whisked away under tight security and taken directly to Saalfelden. So far, there have been no opportunities for fan selfies or meet-and-greets.
A Glimpse, If You’re Lucky
A few lucky onlookers near the Hotel Gut Brandlhof, where Al-Nassr is staying, managed to catch a fleeting glance of Ronaldo as he briskly entered the hotel. Since then, every entrance has been guarded by security personnel around the clock.
Friendly Match Schedule:
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July 27: Al-Nassr vs. SK St. Johann in Tirol (Saalfelden)
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July 30: Al-Nassr vs. Toulouse FC (Grödig)
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August 2: Al-Nassr – Opponent TBA (Grödig)
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Source: salzburg.ORF.at;
