cristiano ronaldo on Friday signed Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, the club announced, in a deal believed to be worth more than 200 million euros. The 37-year-old has signed a contract until June 2025. “I can’t wait to discover a new football league in another country,” said the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player. . Image of the Portuguese star on Twitter by Al Nassr holding a blue and yellow shirt with his favorite number 7 printed on the back.
“The vision that Al Nassr operates on is inspiring and I’m excited to join my teammates, so that together we can help the team achieve greater success,” he added.
Al Nassr has won nine Saudi Arabia league championships, the last in 2019.
“This is more than history in the making. This is a signing that not only inspires our club to achieve even greater success, but also inspires our league, the nation, and the world. our family and future generations, boys and girls becoming the best versions of themselves.Welcome @cristiano to your new home @alnassr_fc,” the Saudi tweeted.
History is taking shape. This is a signing that not only inspires our club to achieve even greater success, but also inspires our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls become the best versions of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFC pic.twitter.com/oan7nu8NWC
– AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) December 30, 2022
ronaldo arrived in the Gulf after a year that saw him sit on the bench for Portugal and was interrupted 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 the coach. member Erik ten Hag.
United terminated his contract while Ronaldo was with Portugal for the World Cup.
Ronaldo’s World Cup winner’s medal-winning journey began well as he became the first player to score in five global tournaments when he successfully netted a penalty in a win over Ghana.
But he was dropped from the starting line-up in the round of 16 match as Portugal tore Switzerland apart.
When Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarterfinals, he started off 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 underreporting what they paid players.
While he took a pay cut to rejoin United, with reports putting his base annual salary in the range of €15m to €28m, excluding bonuses, it still makes him a one of the highest paid players in Europe.
As his relationship with United soured, Ronaldo was linked with a host of Champions League contenders including Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Napoli.
His first return to club Sporting in Lisbon is also rumored. There has been talk of a move to the MLS to join Inter Miami, which is partly owned by the former United team-mate David Beckham. None of those deals materialized.
United decided his dwindling contribution coupled with his growing discontent and publicity made him an expensive luxury they no longer needed.
Arabic images
For Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo is the latest expensive sports gem to be acquired to further enhance their international image.
The Rebel LIV Golf series has offered huge contracts and guarantees to attract the stars.
Dustin Johnson is said to have signed a contract worth up to 125 million dollars and they have won more than 35 million dollars, including prize money, in 8 tournaments.
Saudi Arabia has hosted heavyweight boxing matches, having hosted Formula One racing for the past two years as well as the Dakar Grand Prix.
Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund acquired Premier League club Newcastle in 2021 and is being linked with Manchester United.
Ronaldo has long competed with Lionel Messi for the titles of greatest player and highest earner in football.
Messi has far surpassed Ronaldo on the field by winning the World Cup, but the amount the Portuguese star is expected to receive in Riyadh, far exceeds what the Argentinian earns from Paris Saint-Germain.
Ronaldo has won 5 Champions League titles (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), the championship in Italy (2019, 2020) with Juventus, in Spain (2012, 2017) with Real Madrid and in England (2007, 2008, 2009) ) with United.
He is also the top scorer in the Champions League and with the Portuguese national team with which he won Euro 2016.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the aggregate feed.)
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