Al Nassr Star Breaks Silence on Why He ‘Willingly’ Gave His No.7 Jersey to Cristiano Ronaldo

• Jaloliddin Masharipov has finally shed light on his decision to swap jerseys with Cristiano Ronaldo
• The Uzbek attacker was the original occupant of the jersey number before Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr
• The Portuguese star has since made three appearances for the Saudis, scoring his first goal last week

Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival at Al-Nassr sparked an array of controversial changes at the club.

The former Manchester United ace, who recently turned 38, was named captain and given his preferred No.7 shirt on the back of his sensational move.

The raft of changes associated with Ronaldo's arrival was rumoured to have ruffled feathers in the dressing room, particularly concerning his iconic No.7 shirt, per Kick Off.

It was said that Uzbekistan midfielder, Jaloliddin Masharipov - who wore the jersey number before Ronaldo's arrival - refused to relinquish the number and stood a chance of seeing his contract terminated.

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But Masharipov, who now dons the No.77 shirt, has finally dismissed the rumours.

“When [Cristiano] Ronaldo arrived, many people spread rumours about my departure from the team; all kinds of false news came out," he said, as quoted by Indian Express.

The Uzbek star added that the decision to hand over the No.7 shirt to Ronaldo was a no-brainer for him, considering his respect for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Before Cristiano’s arrival, many people asked me, ‘Will you give him the No. 7?’ How can you not give it?! He is Cristiano Ronaldo!”Such players should always be respected! "

Masharipov also clarified reports about his purported exit from the club due to the jersey number change.

"After giving my number, many people assumed that I would leave the team. I gave my number without any problem. There was no talk of leaving. Both the club and the coach wanted to see me in the team.”

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The Uzbek confirmed he had only changed his jersey number because of Ronaldo's arrival.

“I have a contract with the team... This guy is one of the two best players in the world. There’s no need to talk much."

United stars eye Ronaldo's shirt

Meanwhile, at least three Manchester United stars are reportedly eyeing the club's iconic No.7 shirt.

The jersey number is currently vacant following Ronaldo's exit from the club in November last year.

Ronaldo departed Old Trafford after he was axed by the Red Devils, with the club ripping up his £500k-a-week contract.

Al-Nassr react to Ronaldo's captaincy

Sports Brief also reported on Al-Nassr midfielder, Masharipov discussing the decision by the club hierarchy to name Ronaldo as captain from the off.

The Portuguese star was named club captain of the Riyadh-based giants on the back of his sensational move to the Middle East from Europe.

Abdullah Madu, who was the skipper of Al-Nassr previously, was then stripped of his captaincy in favour of putting the armband on Ronaldo.