Cristiano Ronaldo joins Al Nassr in $211 million per year deal
Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a deal to join Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. The mammoth move will reportedly earn the superstar over $200 million per season. This would make Ronaldo the highest-paid soccer player on the planet.
To put the financial terms into perspective, the Portugal international will roughly make the same as the entire combined roster at Manchester City.
The agreement keeps Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia for two-and-a-half years. Aforementioned financial terms include commercial aspects along with a base salary.
Club claims ‘history in the making’
Following the announcement, the Saudi club proclaimed that the deal was “history in the making” on their official Twitter account. The team also posted photos of Ronaldo holding up a new jersey with his iconic number seven.
Ronaldo issued a statement on the move, explaining his excitement on the new endeavor. “The vision with which Al Nassr operates is very inspiring and I am excited to join my teammates. Let’s help the team together to achieve more successes,” said Ronaldo.
“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 also agrees to ambassador role
Along with playing for the club, Ronaldo will also become an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s 2030 World Cup bid as well. Reports claim that the striker has agreed to the role to help bring the tournament back to the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is attempting to host the 2030 competition alongside Egypt and Greece.
Longtime rival Lionel Messi also previously agreed to a similar role with Saudi Arabia. The two superstars could soon work together on efforts to help the Middle Eastern country.
Al Nassr will be Ronaldo’s fifth club in his illustrious career. The former five-time Ballon d’Or winner has managed to rack up over 700 total goals since making his senior debut 20 years ago.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Sven Simon