RIYADH: Socceroos defender Aziz Behich has become Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s new teammate after signing a loan deal with Roshn Saudi League’s side Al-Nassr.
The Saudi Pro League giant signed the contract with the Australian international player Behich, coming from Melbourne City on loan until the end of the season, Al-Nassr announced on their X account on Wednesday.
Commenting on the move in a short video posted on the Socceroos’ official account on X, Behich said: “They (Socceroos’ teammates) are all so happy for me, so it’s great to have them behind me as well. Yeah, it will be a great experience! You know, not every day you get these opportunities to share changeroom with players that have done so much in their careers.”
The 33-year-old who represented Melbourne City ahead of his move to Al-Nassr expressed his “real excitement” and is “looking forward to get started once my job is done here (in the Asian Cup in Doha).”
Australia prepare to play South Korea in the quarterfinals after their opponents from the 2015 final defeated Saudi Arabia on penalties on Tuesday.
“I am excited for that opportunity, it’s great for me, family, wife … everyone is happy! But, first and foremost, I’ve got a job to do here (Doha)… I’ve been around football long enough to be able to separate what’s important right now, and that’s playing for the national team and having the opportunity to win another trophy. So, first and foremost. It’s all about the Socceroos and Australia and then when my job is done here, I can focus on my next step,” he said.
Besides Ronaldo, Behich will also be teammates with former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane at Al-Nassr who are second in the SPL with 46 points from 19 games, and seven points behind leaders Al-Hilal.
He has played with the Aussies every minute throughout the Asian Cup, being held in Qatar until Feb. 10.
