Share
By Anthony Nlebem.
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a two-year contract in a deal worth €200m per year with commercial benefits included.
The 37-year-old Portugal captain is a free agent after leaving Manchester United following a controversial interview in which he criticised the club.
Al Nassr, nine-time Saudi Pro League champions described the signing of the former Real Madrid star as “history in the making.”
🚨 OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo joins Al Nassr, here we go! Contract valid until 2025 🇵🇹🇸🇦 #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/HB562KnaTf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 30, 2022
According to football journalist, Fabrizio Romano, the total salary will be close to €200million per year, but includes commercial deal.
Confirming the contract Friday night, AlNassr tweeted, “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 @AlNassrFC”
The club said it would “inspire our league, nation and future generations to be the best version of themselves.”
In the summer, Ronaldo turned down a £305m deal to join another Saudi team – Al Hilal – because he was happy at United.
Earlier in November, Ronaldo spoke out in an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV in which he said he felt “betrayed” by United, did not respect manager Erik ten Hag and was being forced out of the club.
Ronaldo, who scored 145 goals in 346 appearances for United, left Juventus to rejoin the Old Trafford club in August 2021 – 11 years after he departed to join Real Madrid.
He had just over seven months remaining on his £500,000-a-week contract with United but his immediate exit was “mutually agreed.”