Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Saudi Arabian Side Al Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he has joined Al Nassr in a €200m per year deal to become the highest paid footballer in history.

Ronaldo, 37, had been a free agent after leaving United in the wake of his damning and controversial interview with Piers Morgan.

His agreement is valid for two years and half, with his total salary close to €200m per year, but this includes commercial deal. It’s the biggest salary ever in football.

According to reports in Spain, Ronaldo’s deal is for seven years, with the Portuguese superstar set to play for two-and-a-half years before taking up an ambassadorial role and his payment will increase over time.

His decision to move to Saudi Arabia effectively ends his career at the top level. It is thought Ronaldo had been hoping to secure a switch to a Champions League club but it never materialized.

Part of his role as an ambassador will be to help Saudi Arabia’s joint bid with Egypt and Greece to host the 2030 World Cup, it has been claimed.

He joins arch rival Lionel Messi in taking up a promotional position with the gulf nation, which has faced criticism for its human rights record, as well as crackdowns on women’s rights activists, LGBTQ+ people and those who speak out against the rule of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Al-Nassr are one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, having being crowned winners of the country’s top flight nine times, with their most recent triumph coming in 2019.

Ronaldo had previously been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Napoli.