Chanting “Ronaldo, Ronaldo,” the fans pushed past police, filling the corridors and public spaces of the Espians Palace Hotel.

Ronaldo arrived on his first visit to Iran with the Saudi football club Al Nassr, which is set to play Iran’s Persepolis in Tehran on Sept. 19. The return game will be played in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Nov. 27.

Ronaldo was the first of several big-name players to accept lavish contracts to play for Saudi teams. The oil-rich kingdom is spending billions of dollars to try to transform itself into a sports and entertainment powerhouse.

The Asian Champions League games are made possible by the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia following an agreement brokered by China earlier this year. The longtime rivals had severed ties in 2016 after an angry crowd stormed Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran to protest Saudi Arabia’s execution of a popular Shiite cleric.

The 2015 Asian Champions League edition was the last time Saudi and Iranian teams faced each other on home turf in the group stage or knockout rounds.

When asked to describe life in Saudi Arabia to those who have never been there, Ronaldo responded enthusiastically. “Very good if you want to come here, you know, to have fun, to see the culture, to eat good food”, he explained. Ronaldo went on to highlight the vibrant nightlife of Saudi Arabia, which he found both enjoyable and intriguing.

“The Saudis live more during the night, which I think is quite fun and interesting”, Ronaldo remarked. He further emphasized the beauty of the cities, particularly during nighttime. “It’s very beautiful if you see it during the night”, he shared. “If you like to eat, coming to Riyadh is probably one of the best places I have ever seen with high-quality restaurants”.

Ronaldo also spoke fondly of a specific experience he had in Saudi Arabia, mentioning his visit to Boulevard World as one of the most memorable moments. “It’s something that I really enjoyed. I brought all my family there”, he revealed. The football star expressed overall satisfaction with his time in the country, noting his family’s happiness and the excellent quality of schools for his children.

Furthermore, Ronaldo applauded the ambitious development projects undertaken by Saudi Arabia, expressing his admiration for the country’s forward-looking vision. “The things that the country is building for the future”, he said, “I like to see different things, try different things. This is why I am here as well”.

Ronaldo also expressed his desire to explore more of Saudi Arabia, mentioning Al-Ula as his next destination. He expressed his anticipation, as he had heard that Al-Ula is a remarkably beautiful place.

As Ronaldo continues to make his mark on the football field in Saudi Arabia, he also appears to be enjoying the diverse experiences the country has to offer. His positive perspective on life in Saudi Arabia is likely to inspire others to explore the rich culture, vibrant nightlife, and culinary delights of this Middle Eastern nation.

Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in December on a 2-1/2 year contract following his exit from Manchester United, said he had paved the way for other top players to sign with Saudi teams and that more would make the move to the desert kingdom.

The 38-year-old Portugal captain, speaking after Al Nassr’s 5-0 loss to Celta Vigo in a pre-season friendly on Monday, said most European leagues were in decline.

“I’m 100% sure I won’t return to any European club. I’m 38-years-old,” ESPN quoted him as saying.

“European football has lost a lot of quality. The only valid one and still doing good is the (English) Premier League. They’re way ahead of all the other leagues.”

Ronaldo’s long-time rival Messi was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia before the Argentine World Cup winner completed a transfer to MLS side Inter Miami, signing a deal until 2025.

“The Saudi league is better than MLS,” Ronaldo said.

“Now all the players are coming here … In one year, more top players will come to Saudi Arabia.”

Several high-profile players have followed Ronaldo to the Saudi league, including Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema from Real Madrid and N’Golo Kante from Chelsea, who both joined champions Al-Ittihad.