Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr until 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (REUTERS/File Photo)

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a 2-1/2-year contract, the club announced on Friday, after leaving Manchester United as a free agent.

Ronaldo left Old Trafford last month after an explosive television interview in which the 37-year-old striker said he felt betrayed by the club and disrespected Dutch manager Erik ten Hag.

Al Nassr released a statement saying the five-time Ballon D’or winner will be involved in a deal until 2025 but did not reveal any financial details. Ronaldo’s contract has been estimated by the media at more than 200 million euros ($214.04 million).

“I am lucky to have won everything I wanted to win in European football and feel now is the right time to share my experience in Asia,” Ronaldo said in a statement.

“I look forward to joining my new team-mates and together with them help the Club to succeed.”

Ronaldo will arrive in Saudi Arabia with a huge collection of club honors after a brilliant 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 over 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 who have won the Premier League treble, 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 scoring a penalty in their Group H opener against Ghana. Portugal lost in the quarter finals to Morocco.

Ronaldo says Qatar will be his last World Cup as he plans to retire at the age of 40, with a move to Saudi Arabia marking the swansong of his career as one of the game’s greatest players alongside Lionel Messi.

“This is more than history made,” said Al Nassr Football Club President Musalli Almuammar. “This is a sign that not only inspires the club to succeed, but also inspires the league, the nation and future generations.”

The Saudi Arabian club, who have won nine Saudi Pro Premier League titles, are hoping Ronaldo can help them win another domestic league title and their first AFC Asian Champions League.

However, the Portuguese striker will miss his first two domestic matches after being banned for knocking a phone out of the hands of a fan following United’s defeat at Everton in April.

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