Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr after leaving Manchester United in controversial fashion, the club announced Friday.
In a move that will effectively signal the end of his top level playing career but will ensure he is extremely well remunerated as his retirement approached, Ronaldo put pen to paper on a contract for the Riyadh club on Friday afternoon.
The deal, understood to run until the end of the 2024-25 season, ends a brief free agency period for the 37-year-old, whose Manchester United contract was terminated last month.Sources with knowledge of the negotiations say that Ronaldo has already completed the parts of his medical necessary to sign his contract while a second set of tests are expected to take place next week. In announcing the deal, the club simply tweeted that “the world’s greatest athlete officially signed for [Al Nassr].”A subsequent statement added: “History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome Cristiano to your new home.”According to reports, Ronaldo will receive $75 million per year through 2025 as part of the deal.In November, when Ronaldo was still assessing his options in Europe and beyond no other serious suitors emerged and this week has seen the Portugal international iron out the final terms of a contract that will see him wield significant sway at the Saudi club.The logistics behind Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia have long since been firmed up by the club, including a home for the striker and his family in an affluent area close to the training ground. In addition to a salary worth well in excess of $1million a week, Ronaldo’s earnings could more than double through the sale of his image rights. He is also expected to have a role in the Saudi bid for the 2030 World Cup.At club level, Ronaldo’s authority will be vast, with one source joking that Al Nassr would become “Cristiano FC”. If the veteran striker wants a new coach then that is what he will have. Recent events have proven that he is not exactly shy when it comes to voicing his opinion of management.”I’m thrilled for a new experience in a different league and a different country, the vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring,” said Ronaldo. “I’m very excited to join my teammates, and to help the team to achieve more success.”Ronaldo is coming off a disappointing World Cup where despite Portugal’s run to the quarterfinals, the superstar lost his starting job as the tournament entered the knockout stages.The tournament coincided with the end of his second stint at Manchester United following his termination after an incendiary interview in which he blasted club manager Erik ten Hag and others.Contact between Ronaldo and Al Nassr began over the summer but the striker was still looking for a destination to ply his trade in Europe and keep him at the pinnacle of the game ahead of November’s World Cup in Qatar. With no offers available he returned to United where the awkward marriage quickly soured, and now that the World Cup has ended, he has taken Al Nassr up on their offer to begin the next stage of his career.Ronaldo forced his way out of Old Trafford last month, mutually terminating his contract following a contentious TV interview.Ronaldo endured mixed fortunes at the tournament in Qatar, becoming the first male player to score in five World Cups but only coming on as a second-half substitute as Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarterfinals.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was coy about his international future following that defeat, saying that he would “never turn my back on my teammates and my country” but adding that he would “let time be a good adviser and allow everyone to draw their own conclusions.”Earlier this month United boss Erik ten Hag said the club were “looking to the future” after the forward’s departure, explaining that Ronaldo was “gone and it’s the past.”Al-Nassr, who are based in Riyadh, play in the Saudi Pro League and have the second most top-flight league titles in the country’s history.
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