Official: Cristiano Ronaldo joins Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia

Transfer official

Cristiano Ronaldo has found a new employer after his inglorious end at Manchester United. The 37-year-old attacker has signed a contract with Al-Nassr FC. Ronaldo’s adventure with the Saudi Arabian team begins on January 1, 2023. The Portuguese can join on a free transfer after agreeing an early parting with his club Man United in November.

According to the Spanish “Marca”, the total volume of the deal with Al-Nassr is around 200 million euros per season as part of a seven-year contract – he should fulfill this as a player for two and a half years and then become the ambassador of the Arab country’s World Cup bid is working with Egypt and Greece to host the 2030 World Cup. Ronaldo’s salary should even increase for his role as ambassador after the active time.

Taking his advertising revenue into account, the Portuguese will be the highest-paid athlete in the world in the future. At the beginning of December, the US broadcaster “CBS Sports” had given the equivalent of around EUR 216 million as a possible total volume. Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi (with 75 million euros per season) and Neymar (70 million euros) are reportedly nowhere near Ronaldo’s spheres with their salaries. Major League Soccer clubs, which are said to have also courted Ronaldo, could not keep up with Al-Nassr’s offer.

Media reports about a general agreement with Al-Nassr had denied Ronaldo during the World Cup, according to “Marca” the breakthrough in the negotiations was achieved in the week after the tournament. The president of the Saudi Football Association had recently campaigned for a change in the superstar. “We would like to have this player in our league,” Yasser al-Missihal announced. “We want to surprise by signing more top players from all over the world. As an association, we would be more than satisfied.”

Ronaldo in the future with Luiz Gustavo in the team – sharp criticism caused Man United to end

In Saudi Arabia, the superstar will be coached by Frenchman Rudi Garcia, who has been on the touchline in eight games since last July and who is said to have a good relationship with Ronaldo. The most valuable players at Al-Nassr FC so far have been attacking players Talisca (28; €14m market value) and Gonzalo Martínez (29; €9m) and left-back Ghislain Konan (26; €8m). Luiz Gustavo (35), David Ospina (34) and Vincent Aboubakar (30) also have European experience. After eight games, the 18-time champion is in second place behind leaders Al-Shabab, the last time they won the title was in 2018/19.

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The Saudi Pro League at a glanceRight this way
At Man United, Ronaldo, who failed with Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar in the quarter-finals against Morocco, accused those responsible and coach Erik ten Hag of “treason” in a “TalkTV” interview and criticized the Glazer family, who own the team. After an initial analysis of the facts, the Premier League club then forced the end of the cooperation. “I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never change,” said the veteran in a subsequent statement. Nevertheless, it is “the right time to look for a new challenge”.

In his career, Ronaldo has made 949 appearances for Sporting Lisbon (31), the Red Devils (364), Real Madrid (438) and Juventus Turin (134), scoring 701 times and providing 223 assists. According to the Times, the premature termination of the contract saved Man United around £15.5 million (around €18 million) in salary that Ronaldo would have been entitled to. According to the newspaper, there was no severance payment. The professional is said to have been making £500,000 (€577,000) a week with the English side, which translates to £26m (€30m) a year.

الرياضي الأعظـم عالميًا
يـوقع رسميًا لـ #العالمي #رونالدو_نصراوي pic.twitter.com/BBq469mAYh

— نادي النصر السعودي (@AlNassrFC) December 30, 2022

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