Cristiano Ronaldo’s team have denied reports suggesting he has agreed on a deal to join Al-Nassr. The rumoured deal was set to be the most lucrative in history and is worth about £200m.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still in the news. All talk has been about his future, yet it remains blurry. Following the tell-all interview, the Portuguese star had with Piers Morgan, Manchester United and Ronaldo mutually agreed to part ways. Despite the amicable separation, tongues have not stopped wagging about where Ronaldo would turn up next.
Despite being in the spotlight and the distractions, Ronaldo has remained tight-lipped on his future. There have been links for the former Real Madrid forward, but nothing concrete. Ronaldo is still the main feature for Portugal as they try to lift the FIFA World Cup for the first time.
Despite a cloudy future, the rumour mill has been working overtime. The latest report suggests that Cristiano Ronaldo is Saudi-bound. Reports suggest a massive contract for Ronaldo at Al-Nassr but it appears there is nothing to them.
Ronaldo rubbishes Saudi move
There have been reports linking Ronaldo with a move to oil-rich Saudi Arabia. Suggestions are that the forward is about to sign a contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr on January 1st. Emerging on Monday morning was the news of Cristiano Ronaldo signing a massive deal that would have seen him net close to €200 million (£173m) per season.
Sources close to Ronaldo have debunked the news. They told Sportsmail the reports were nonsense. Spanish outlet MARCA reported that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was on the verge of signing a deal with the Saudi club at the start of next month.
According to the MARCA report, the initial deal was worth close to €100m (£86m), but further incentives and agreements such as advertisement and sponsorship would boost it. However, sources close to Ronaldo claim the reports are untrue.
Elements of truth to the deal
Cristiano Ronaldo became a free agent last month after a philosophical falling out with Manchester United. The statements by Ronaldo in a TV interview with Piers Morgan incensed the club management, leading to a separation.
In the interview, Ronaldo confessed that the rumours of a €350m offer for two seasons were true, but he had previously declined. Ronaldo is currently with Portugal at the World Cup and will lead the team against Switzerland in a round-of-16 tie on Tuesday. If they overcome the Swiss side, they will take on either Spain or Morocco in the Quarter-final.
Al Nasr is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia. Their last league triumph came in 2019, and signing Ronaldo would be a massive coup for the side.
The Saudi giants currently have on their payroll a few big-name stars. Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo and Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar play for the club.
According to ‘Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes 2022 List’, Ronaldo would have become the highest earner of any active athlete.
