Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to leave Manchester United in the summer and one of his suitors was Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese international had no clubs lining up for his signature like in previous years. The Saudi offer was one of the few. However, Ronaldo made a crucial mistake in rejecting the offer. Now the whole world can see what the club offered the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The president of the club revealed this Tuesday that he spent the whole summer trying to sign the veteran striker. It was an offer worth $228 million, which works out to $1.9 million a week. Al-Hilal wanted to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for two seasons.
The biggest contract in football
Champions League football was the motivation behind Cristiano Ronaldo for choosing to reject Al-Hilal. Given the Portuguese captain’s history of wanting to be paid more than Lionel Messi, it is unusual for him to turn down such a contract.
Signing with Al-Hilal would have made Cristiano Ronaldo the highest-paid footballer in history. However, with Manchester United offering only Europa League football, Ronaldo has made a huge mistake.
You can no longer stand out in an elite team.
There is a reason why Erik ten Hag relegated Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench. While he can still score regular goals, he lacks contribution to the team. This goes no further than the vague statement that he doesn’t push. Also, an assessment based on how much better Manchester United are as a team without him.
The fluid movement of the attacking players is crucial for the Dutch coach. United turned their season around by relying on Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and new boy Antony. Ronaldo can’t run like these younger players. Instead, he needs the ball at his feet. Sebastien Haller was a bigger No. 9 who thrived under Ten Hag. He at least he could run after when asked. Cristiano Ronaldo can no longer do that.
Precisely for this reason, no team in the Champions League noticed him. Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Chelsea all had links in the transfer rumor mill. However, neither made a concrete move, and Atlético supporters deliberately stated their opposition to the player.
Cristiano Ronaldo cannot function in a team that is capable of winning the Champions League. However, he can stand out in a mediocre one.
He was Manchester United’s top scorer in 2021/22 for this reason. The incorporation of him to Al-Hilal would have given him the conditions to enjoy football again.
Cristiano Ronaldo would prosper in Saudi Arabia
Accepting your own limitations is a difficult skill for almost any human being. It is even more challenging when you are as competitive and motivated as Ronaldo. Telling him that he no longer belongs to the Champions League would have fallen on deaf ears. However, it is the truth. He can be ‘Mr. Champions League’, but those best years are behind us.
Signing with Al-Hilal would have made him infinitely richer. He would have raised his profile dramatically in the Middle East. In short, he would have been perfect from a soccer point of view.
The level in the Saudi Pro League is poor. It is nothing compared to the Premier League. The biggest star in the league right now is Odion Ighalo. Ronaldo would have passed quickly through the defenses.
Abderrazak Hamdallah holds the record for the most goals in a Saudi season. Cristiano Ronaldo would have broken his loot of 34 with ease.
Also, Ronaldo playing in Saudi Arabia would have been similar to Mario Jardel’s wonderful one-season stint in Turkey with Galatasaray. He was facing weaker defenses and scored for fun.
Playing in the 2022 World Cup is crucial for Ronaldo. It’s the only trophy he has yet to win. However, sitting on the Manchester United bench will not prepare him for the tournament.
Signing Al-Hilal would have at least kept him sharp and fit. Rejecting the outrageous Saudi offer may have cost Cristiano Ronaldo his last shot at the World Cup.
PHOTO: IMAGO / HMB-Media
