Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo is close to joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, according to Marca.
He will sign a bumper £173 million-a-year deal despite rejecting a deal to move to Saudi Arabia in the summer. The sum includes salary and advertising agreements.
Ronaldo will be the face of Neom, a city under construction in Tabuk Province in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Neom incorporates smart city technologies and will function as a tourist destination.
Ronaldo will reportedly sign for two and a half seasons. He would have loved to continue in Europe, but no club was willing to take him. He will have to find solace in the economic aspect of the deal.
Ronaldo recently left Manchester United after his second coming turned sour. After netting 18 Premier League goals, the former Real Madrid star discovered he had to play in the Europa League this season.
Ronaldo tried hard to force a move this summer, but there were no takers. There was interest because his age was a deterrent for most clubs. Also, managers did not want to deal with his ego and any disruption in the dressing room. There were concerns about his pressing too.
Ronaldo stayed on, but the atmosphere was toxic. There were incidents of him ignoring head coach Erik Ten Hag and misbehaviour in the dressing room.
It culminated in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which Ronaldo accused the club of betraying him. He also said he did not respect the coach.
Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo terminated his contract and let him walk. The forward is now close to moving to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Nassr are one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia. They are nine-time winners of their country’s top-flight league. Their most recent triumph came in 2019.
Al-Nassr also won the Saudi Super Cup in 2020 and 2021. Former Marseille, Lyon, and AS Roma boss Rudi Garcia manages the club. Ronaldo will join other former European stars like goalkeeper David Ospina, defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo, and Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar.
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