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Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly agreed a bumper £172.9million-a-year contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
The 37-year-old had his Manchester United contract terminated last month, following a tumultuous relationship with club chiefs that only worsened when he made a number of controversial statements in a TV interview with Piers Morgan.
And now Ronaldo is said to have sensationally agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with Al Nassr – worth an eye-watering £172.9million per year – that will see him play until the age of 40, according to Spanish newspaper outlet Marca.
The Portugal international was pushing for a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, but did not get his wish as he was determined to play Champions League football.
The former Real Madrid star rejected a switch to Saudi last summer, but without any firm interest from Europe’s elite clubs, he looks set to now make the move.
Al-Nassr are one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, having been crowned winners of the country’s top flight nine times, with their most recent triumph coming in 2019.
In both 2020 and 2021, Al-Nassr did not win the league, but they did manage to win the Saudi Super Cup.
They also competed in the Club World Cup in 2000, where they came up against one of Ronaldo’s former clubs in Real Madrid.
The club are managed by Frenchman Rudi Garcia, who has previously coached Roma, Marseille and Lyon.
The Saudi giants also currently have a few big-name stars of the past in the form of goalkeeper David Ospina, Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo and Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar.
Another huge factor for Ronaldo might be that Al-Nassr’s backroom staff is predominantly made up of Portuguese, eight of the 12 members.
The same report has also suggested that no club from Europe or the MLS could afford to offer anywhere near such a luxurious offer.
Chelsea have also cooled their interest in Ronaldo while Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich denied talks earlier this week since his bombshell interview where he slammed United’s owner and manager Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo, however, remains focused for the time being on the World Cup in Qatar as he looks to help Portugal top their group when they face South Korea tomorrow afternoon.
The forward became the first man in history to score at five different World Cups, opening the scoring from the penalty spot in a thrilling 3-2 win over Ghana.
He then thought he had drawn level with Eusebio’s record of nine goals at the World Cup finals for Portugal when they beat Uruguay 2-0 in their second group-stage match.
The opening goal was instead awarded to his former Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes, denying him yet another record.
One that he will be determined to break during the major tournament in Qatar, as it could prove to be his last World Cup. – Daily Mail Sport
Online Reporter