Cristiano Ronaldo has signed for Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia.
In a move that will effectively mark the end of his career as a top-flight player, but one that will ensure he is extremely well-paid as his retirement approaches, Ronaldo signed a contract with the Riyadh-based club on Friday afternoon. The deal, which is understood to last until the end of the 2024-25 season, ends a short period of free agency for the 37-year-old, whose contract with Manchester United was terminated last month.
Sources with knowledge of the negotiations say Ronaldo has already completed the parts of his medical necessary to sign his contract, while a second series of tests is expected to take place next week. In announcing the deal, the club simply tweeted that “the best athlete in the world has officially signed for [Al Nassr].”
A later statement added: “History in the making. This is a signing 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. Welcome.” Christian to your new home”.
CBS Sports first revealed the $75 million a year offer in November. when Ronaldo was still evaluating his options in Europe and beyond. No other serious suitors emerged and this week the Portuguese international has settled the final terms of a contract that will see him wield significant influence at the Saudi club.
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The logistics behind Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia have long been confirmed by the club, including a home for the striker and his family in an affluent area near the training ground. In addition to a salary well in excess of $1 million a week, Ronaldo’s earnings could more than double through the sale of his image rights. He is also expected to have a role in Saudi Arabia’s 2030 World Cup bid.
At club level, Ronaldo’s authority will be enormous, with one source joking that Al Nassr would become “Cristiano FC”. If the veteran striker wants a new manager, that’s what he’ll have. Recent events have shown that he is not exactly shy about expressing his opinion on management.
“I am excited for a new experience in a different league and in a different country, the vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring,” said Ronaldo. “I am very excited to join my teammates and help the team achieve more success.”
Ronaldo is coming off a disappointing World Cup in which, despite Portugal reaching the quarterfinals, the superstar lost his starting job as the tournament entered the knockout stages. The tournament coincided with the end of his second spell at Manchester United following his sacking after an incendiary interview in which he criticized club manager Erik ten Hag and others. Contact between Ronaldo and Al Nassr began over the summer, but the striker was still looking for a destination to ply his trade in Europe and keep him at the top of the game ahead of November’s World Cup in Qatar. With no offers available, he returned to United, where the awkward marriage quickly soured, and now that the World Cup is over, he has accepted Al Nassr’s offer to start the next stage of his career.
