Former world footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is continuing his recently stalled career in Saudi Arabia. The 37-year-old Portuguese, who was kicked out at Manchester United in November after his general settlement with the club, has signed a contract with Al-Nassr until 2025.
“More than history is being made here. This is a commitment that will not only inspire our club to even greater success, but will also inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls, to be the best version of themselves to be,” Al-Nassr explained on Instagram. Ronaldo posted the identical statement, showing off his new yellow and blue jersey number 7.
First player, then World Cup ambassador?
After that, Ronaldo will probably act as ambassador to help the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is controversial because of its human rights violations, to be awarded the contract to host the 2030 World Cup finals (together with Egypt and Greece).
“I’m excited about a new football league in another country,” Ronaldo was quoted as saying he spoke of one “very inspiring vision” of the club: “Together we will help the team to be more successful.”
No fee for CR7
Official numbers were not given. He is said to collect 200 million euros as a player for two and a half years. There is also talk of a whopping hand money – because he has no contract, there is no transfer fee.
After Portugal’s World Cup elimination in the quarter-finals, Ronaldo kept fit at Real Madrid’s training ground before Christmas. The goalscorer had played for the Royals from 2009 to 2018 and during this period contributed 450 goals in 438 games to winning four Champions League titles, among others.
Other stations in his professional career were Sporting Lisbon, Juventus Turin and twice Manchester United. In 2016, Ronaldo won the European Football Championship with Portugal. His 118 international goals (in 196 games) are unmatched anywhere in the world.