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Cristiano Ronaldo completed a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on Friday in a breakthrough deal for Middle Eastern football.
Al Nassr posted a picture on social media of the fifth Ballon d’Or holding the team’s jersey, with the club marking it as “history in the making.”
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 in your new home @AlNassrFC pic.twitter.com/oan7nu8NWC
“This is a sign that will not only inspire the club to succeed, but also inspire the league, the nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves,” the club wrote.
It also gives 37-year-old Ronaldo a big payday in what could be the final contract of his career. Media reports claim the Portugal star could earn up to US$200 million per year from the deal.
While the signing is a big boost for Middle Eastern football, it will also fuel the debate over Saudi Arabia’s use of so-called “sports washing” to boost the country’s image internationally. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund owns Premier League team Newcastle, and the country is considering a bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
He will now be seen in the final years of his career away from the spotlight of top European football, as he is the biggest name to play in the Saudi Arabian league.
Saudi Arabia achieved their biggest international football victory at the World Cup in Qatar last month when they beat eventual champions Argentina in their first group match. But it failed to reach the knockout stage and the domestic league had few other stars and was not watched by the main international audience.
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