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Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday signed for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr. – ALL NASSR FC TWITTER
Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday signed for Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia, the club announced, in a deal believed to be worth more than 200 million euros.
The 37-year-old penned a contract that will take him until June 2025.
“I can’t wait to find a new football league in another country,” said the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player.
The Portuguese star was pictured on Al Nassr’s Twitter feed holding a blue and yellow shirt with the number seven printed on the back.
“The vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring, and I am happy to join my colleagues, so that together we can help the team to succeed,” he said.
Al Nassr has won nine Saudi Arabian league titles, the last of which came in 2019.
History in the making. This is a sign that will not only inspire our club to be more successful, but also inspire the league, the nation and future generations, men and women to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFC pic.twitter.com/oan7nu8NWC
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) December 30, 2022
“This is more than history made. This is a sign that will not only inspire our club to be more successful, but also inspire the league, the nation and future generations, men and women to be the best version of themselves. Congratulations welcome @cristiano to your new home @alnassr_fc,” tweeted the Saudi.
Ronaldo moved to the Gulf after a year that saw him relegated to the bench for Portugal and cut by Manchester United.
United parted ways with the Portuguese star after the veteran striker gave an explosive TV interview in which he said he felt “betrayed” by the club and disrespected by coach Erik ten Hag.
United terminated Ronaldo’s contract with Portugal at the World Cup.
Ronaldo’s goal for a World Cup winner’s medal got off to a flying start when he became the first player to score in five global tournaments when he converted a penalty in the win against Ghana.
But he was not in the starting line-up for the last 16 match when Portugal tore Switzerland apart.
When Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals, he started on the bench and ended the tournament in tears.
Ronaldo has long been one of the highest paid players in football.
His salary is reported to be 31 million euros at Juventus, although the Turin club’s accounts are under investigation for possibly not reporting what they paid to players.
While he took a pay cut to rejoin United, it reportedly gives him a basic annual salary of somewhere between 15 million and 28 million euros, before bonuses, which still makes him the highest-paid player in Europe.
As his relationship with United soured, Ronaldo was linked with a number of Champions League contenders including Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Napoli.
A return to his first club Sporting in Lisbon was also rumored. There has been talk of a move to MLS to join Inter Miami, which is owned by former United teammate David Beckham. No one is making a deal.
United decided his dwindling contributions coupled with general discontent and disaffection made him an expensive luxury he no longer needed.
Saudi picture
British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the first practice session of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah on December 3, 2021. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)
For Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo is the latest prized sporting gem acquired to add luster to its international image.
Rebels LIV Golf series has offered huge guaranteed contracts and purses to attract stars.
Dustin Johnson reportedly signed a contract worth up to 125 million dollars and he won more than 35 million, including bonuses, in eight tournaments.
Saudi Arabia has hosted heavyweight boxing title fights, having hosted the Formula One Grand Prix for the past two years as well as the Dakar Rally.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has acquired Premier League club Newcastle in 2021 and is linked with Manchester United.
Ronaldo has long competed with Lionel Messi for the title of the greatest player and highest earner in football.
Messi has overtaken Ronaldo on the field by winning the World Cup, but the amount of money the Portuguese star will earn in Riyadh, surpasses what the Argentine made from Paris Saint-Germain.
Ronaldo has won five Champions League titles (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), league titles in Italy (2019, 2020) with Juventus, in Spain (2012, 2017) with Real Madrid and in England (2007, 2008, 2009) ). ) with United.
He was also the top scorer in the Champions League and with the Portuguese national team that won Euro 2016.
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