Cristiano Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, pens contract worth over 200 million euros
Ending weeks of speculation about his club future, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr on a two-and-half-year-deal.
Which will reportedly make him the highest-paid player in the world. Ronaldo heads to play in Asia, ending the years of dominance in Europe.
Ronaldo’s contract with his former club Manchester United was ended mutually after the Portugal star took jibes at the club, its owners and manager Erik ten Hag in an explosive television interview in November. Ronaldo was without a club contract at the FIFA World Cup where speculation about his club future coincided with dip in form.
Al Nassr, who play in the top-flight Saudi league, confirmed Ronaldo’s signing in a statement on Saturday and said the 37-year-old penned a 2 and half year contract that would keep him with the side until the summer of 2025.
While Al Nassr did not disclose the financial deal, news agency Reuters said that reports suggested Ronaldo’s contract is worth “over 200 million euros (USD 214.04 million)”.
Ronaldo’s joining will only bolster the Saudi Arabian club, which is looking to add to its nine Saudi Pro League titles. Al Nassr, who last won the league title in 2019, will also be hoping to win the AFC Champions League for the first time.
RONALDO HEADS TO ASIA
Speaking about his decision to sign for Al Nassr, Ronaldo said it was the right time to move to Asia. The senior campaigner, considered one of the best in the world, is heading to Asia for potentially his swansong.
Ronaldo hinted he would continue playing for Portugal despite the early exit at the World Cup in Qatar. Ronaldo, 37, is unlikely to stay on and play international football until the next World Cup in 2026. Notably, Ronaldo was benched for Portugal’s knockout matches by Fernando Santos, who quit after their quarter-final exit.
“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, as quoted by Al Nassr.
“I am looking forward to joining my new teammates and together with them help the Club to achieve success.”
As highlighted by Ronaldo, the Portugal star has won most of the major honours that is there to be won in European football.
Ronaldo won 3 Premier League titles with Manchester United and the Champions League along with FA Cup, two League Cups during his first stint with the Old Trafford side. Ronaldo rejoined Manchester United amid much fanfare and expectations in 2021. However, his relationship with Erik Ten Hag soured and an exit looked inevitable. Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan just before the World Cup followed by the end of his association with the Premier League giants.
Ronaldo then had a stunning spell at Spanish giants Real Madrid from 2009-18 where he won two LaLiga titles, two Spanish Cups, four Champions League titles and three Club World Cups.
He went on to score 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.