Cristiano Ronaldo has penned a two-year deal with Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he is ‘thrilled’ to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr on a two-year deal, following his contract with Manchester United being terminated. The forward has become the highest-paid player of all time as a result, with the player set to earn £175million per year.
Ronaldo was keen to leave United over the summer but Erik ten Hag insisted that the striker was part of his plans. However, it soon became apparent that that was not the case, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner protesting in numerous different ways.
Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr on Friday (Image: Al-Nassr)
The final straw for United came when Ronaldo took part in a jaw-dropping interview where he admitted that he had ‘no respect’ for the manager and told fans that the club was not in safe hands with the Glazers family. As a result, his contract was terminated and allowed Ronaldo to join Al-Nassr in an eye-watering deal after no European clubs came forward with offers.
Speaking after signing the deal, Ronaldo said: “I’m thrilled for new experience in a different league and a different country, the vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring. I am very excited to join my teammates, to help the team to achieve more success.”
Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, held talks with numerous top clubs over the summer in an attempt to invite concrete offers for his clients services. Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid were amongst those approached, though none were convinced by the services of the Portugal international.
Al-Nassr were interested in the summer but were forced to be patient, aware that Ronaldo was keen to play Champions League football if possible. Their persistence paid off though, and their joy was clear to see when announcing the signing of their new No 7 by tweeting: “The world’s greatest athlete officially signs for Al-Nassr.”
Ronaldo is set to earn £175m per year (Image: Getty)
The club also released a statement about their new marquee signing, it read: “History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home.”
It remains to be seen how successful Ronaldo’s spell in Saudi Arabia is and whether he will become the ‘poster boy’ for Saudi Pro League and whether his arrival in the Middle East sparks a flurry of other top talents following in his footsteps. Though Al-Nassr are said to be looking at bringing in Sergio Ramos and N’Golo Kante to join Ronaldo at the club.
Ronaldo pockets $315m contract after signing with Saudi club
At 37, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s days on the pitch are shrinking – unlike his bank account after joining Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a two-and-a-half year contract.
Ronaldo’s contract has been estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($A315m).
The move comes just weeks after the star’s explosive departure from Manchester United following an explosive television interview in which the 37-year-old forward said he felt betrayed and did not respect Dutch manager Erik ten Hag.
Al Nassr issued a statement on Friday saying the five-time Ballon D’or winner will join on a deal until 2025 but did not disclose any financial details.
New field to conquer
“I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football and feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia,” Ronaldo said in a statement.
“I am looking forward to joining my new teammates and together with them help the club to achieve success.”
Ronaldo will arrive in Saudi Arabia with a vast collection of club honours after a glittering spell at Spanish giants Real Madrid from 2009-18 where he won two La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, four Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups.
He scored a club record 451 times for Real and has more than 800 senior goals overall for club and country.
Ronaldo claimed two Serie A titles and a Copa Italia trophy in three years at Juventus before rejoining United – with whom he had previously won three Premier League crowns, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
He played for Portugal in Qatar, where he became the first player to score in five World Cups after netting a penalty in his side’s opening Group H game against Ghana.
Portugal were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Morocco.
Career swansong
Ronaldo said Qatar would probably be his last World Cup as he plans to retire at 40, with a move to Saudi Arabia likely to mark the swansong in the career one of the game’s greatest current players alongside Lionel Messi.
“This is more than history in the making,” Al Nassr president Musalli Almuammar said.
“This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations.”
The Saudi Arabian club, who have won nine Saudi Pro Premier League titles, are hoping Ronaldo can help them to a first AFC Asian Champions League success.
However, the Portuguese forward will miss his first two domestic games after being banned for knocking a phone out of a fan’s hand after United’s defeat at Everton in April.
Source: express.co.uk; thenewdaily.com.au
