In a surprise move, Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabian club AL-Nassr after leaving Manchester United in a controversial fashion, the club announced Friday.
The Portuguese superstar signed a contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr through the summer of 2025, paying him $75 million per year, and making him the highest-paid player in history ESPN reported.
Cristiano played for Manchester United, the giant English club for two spells. He was phenomenal in his first stint helping his side to win the domestic league and the UEFA Champions League. However, the second spell at United did not go so well for him resulting in his contract termination following the World Cup 2022 exit in the hands of Morocco.
The superstar’s move to the Saudi side has surprised Football experts and clubs, with some commenting Ronaldo is thirsty for money rather than playing in the top-tier league in Europe. Whereas, he has his own thoughts. “I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country,” Ronaldo said in Al-Nassr’s statement announcing the deal.
“I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football and feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia. I am looking forward to joining my new teammates and together with their help the Club to achieve success,” Cristiano said.
The 37-year-old is the first male player to score in five World Cups, probably Qatar being his last chance. He is the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, right behind Leonel Messi, the Argentinian magician who was crowned FIFA World Cup 2022 champions.
Al-Nassr, who are based in Riyadh, play in the Saudi Pro League and have the second most top-flight league titles in the country’s history. The club is ambitious enough to achieve milestones by investing in world-class footballers from Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia.
Such a signing is of paramount importance for the Saudi side. It does not only inspire the club, but also instills positive energy in the league, and the young generation to be the best version of themselves Al-Nassr president Musalli Almuammar said in a statement.
