Cristiano Ronaldo joins Saudi club Al-Nassr - Becomes highest paid player in the world

After his mutual contract termination at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo has found a new home. The 37-year-old Portuguese superstar will join Al-Nassr FC on a free transfer. According to a previous report by the Spanish outlet Marca, Ronaldo is set to earn around €200 million a season. Ronaldo has signed for two years initially, but the deal also includes a five-year commitment to represent Saudi Arabia as a marketing ambassador in the country's bid to host the 2030 World Cup together with Egypt and Greece. 

"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," the club said in an official statement. “I’m thrilled for a new experience in a different league and a different country; the vision that Al-Nassr has is very inspiring," Ronaldo added. “I’m very excited to join my teammates and to help the team to achieve more success."

Once ad revenue is included, the Portuguese striker is now the best-paid athlete on the planet. The American television station CBS Sports recently reported that the entire volume of the contract would earn Ronaldo €216m a year. Paris Saint-Germain stars Lionel Messi (€75m a season) andNeymar (€70m a season) are nowhere near Ronaldo's category. 

Ronaldo denied Al-Nassr transfer during the World Cup

Ronaldo signing for Al-Nassr is considered a major turnaround. The 37-year-old heavily denied a potential deal with the Saudi club. But according to Marca, there was a major breakthrough in negotiations right after the tournament was concluded. "We would like to have this player in our league," the president of the Saudi football federation Jassir al-Missihal said. "We want to surprise people by signing top players from all over the world. As a federation, that would be satisfying." 

TM database The Saudi Pro League at a glance Click here In Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo will be coached by the Frenchman Rudi Garcia, who reportedly has a good relationship with the Portuguese star. Garcia has been in charge of eight games since taking over in July and Al-Nassr are second behind Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League. The 18-times champions last won the league title in the 2018/19 season. Ronaldo will now be the most valuable player in the squad ahead of Brazilian Talisca (€14m).