Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in ‘€200m per year’ deal

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football star, has joined the Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. 

The club confirmed the signing of the former Manchester United player on its Twitter page on Friday.

Al-Nassr said the deal “will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations”.

“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 Al-Nassr FC,” the tweet reads.

الرياضي الأعظـم عالميًا 🌏
يـوقع رسميًا لـ #العالمي 🤩#رونالدو_نصراوي pic.twitter.com/BBq469mAYh

— نادي النصر السعودي (@AlNassrFC) December 30, 2022

The picture and statement were also shared on Ronaldo’s Instagram account.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Italian journalist, Ronaldo penned a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Saudi side until June 2025.

Here’s Cristiano Ronaldo with Al Nassr shirt after contract signed until June 2025 🚨🇵🇹🇸🇦 #Ronaldo

▫️ Agreement valid for two years and half;

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▫️ Total salary will be close to €200m per year, but this includes commercial deal.

It’s the biggest salary ever in football. pic.twitter.com/ZnOg8lY6Wb

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 30, 2022

The Portuguese will earn a total of close €200 million per year — the highest salary ever paid to a professional footballer — once commercial agreements are included.

The five-times Ballon D’Or winner began talks with the Riyadh-based club following his acrimonous departure from Manchester United in November.

The Red Devils had mutually terminated the contract of the 37-year-old following his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, a British TV personality, where he criticised the club.

Ronaldo returned to United for a second spell in 2021 after illustrious years with Real Madrid and Juventus.

But it was not a favourable return for the Portuguese as he quickly fell out of favour with Erik ten Hag, the club’s new manager.