Cristiano Ronaldo has closed a deal to join Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. The mammoth move will reportedly earn the superstar more than $200 million per season. This would make Ronaldo the highest paid footballer on the planet.
To put financial terms into perspective, the Portugal international will earn roughly the same as the entire roster combined at Manchester City.
The deal keeps Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia for two and a half years. The aforementioned financial terms include business aspects along with a base salary.
The club claims to have “history in the making”
Following the announcement, the Saudi club proclaimed the deal a “developing story” on its official Twitter account. The team also posted photos of Ronaldo holding a new jersey bearing his iconic number seven.
Ronaldo issued a statement on the march, explaining his excitement about the new endeavor. “The vision that Al Nassr operates with is very inspiring and I am excited to join my teammates. Let’s help the team achieve more success together,” said Ronaldo.
“I am lucky to have won everything I set out to win in European football and now I feel that this is the right time to share my experience in Asia.”
Ronaldo also accepts the role of ambassador
In addition to playing for the club, Ronaldo will also become an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s 2030 World Cup bid. Reports claim the striker accepted the role to help bring the tournament back to the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is attempting to host the 2030 competition along with Egypt and Greece.
Old rival Lionel Messi has also previously agreed to a similar role with Saudi Arabia. The two superstars could soon work together in efforts to help the Middle Eastern country.
Al Nassr will be Ronaldo’s fifth club in his illustrious career. The former five-time Ballon d’Or winner has managed to rack up more than 700 goals in total since he made his senior debut 20 years ago.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Sven Simon
