Saudi Arabia: Cristiano Ronaldo will receive a total of 400 million euros in Al Nasr

Without a doubt, Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a good contract, writing the future of his career in Saudi Arabia, one of the biggest contracts in the history of the sport. The Portuguese star, who signed on December 30 with Al Nasr club, will receive more than 400 million euros in Saudi Arabia, half of which will go towards promoting the kingdom’s eventual candidacy for the 2030 World Cup, a source close to his new club told AFP.

“This is a unique contract because I am a unique player,” he boasted during his presentation press conference. The loan is divided into two equal parts: 200 million euros on his contract for two and a half years as an Al-Nasr player, i.e. more than 66 million euros a year, and “another 200 million” that will be the “ambassador” of the joint candidacy that Saudi Arabia plans to submit with Greece and Egypt to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, said a source close to the talks, who wished to stay unnamed.

A deal promoted by MBS and his brothers, honorary members of the club

According to the same source, the agreement was supported by members of the royal family, in particular the crown prince and leader de facto countries Mohammed bin Salman. “MBS and his brothers Naif, Turki and Rakan, children of King Salman, were honorary members of Al-Nasr even before their father became crown prince,” the source said. They wanted to give superiority to their club and draw attention to it. The best way was to bring in the best player in the world.”

Kingdom Sovereign Fund, State Investment Fund (PIF) has been launched, she adds: “Al-Nasr and other Saudi clubs do not have the necessary funds for such a contract. It was the mutual fund that guaranteed the payment.” The Saudi Arabian Sovereign Fund, which has been investing more and more in the world of sports, last year bought the English football club Newcastle. He also funds LIV Golf, a tour that has divided the world of golf, bringing in the biggest stars of the US PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

Another source close to Al-Nasr confirmed to AFP that the princes were behind the surprise deal. “It was the MBS brothers who proposed the deal and sought to complete it at any cost,” she said. They are all fans of Al-Nasr and wanted to prove that their team is truly international,” she added, referring to the nickname given to the club from the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Nasr won nine Saudi Arabian Championships but never won the Asian Championship, unlike rivals Al-Hilal who won four times and Al-Ittihad who won it twice. The arrival of the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player is part of the kingdom’s desire to draw attention to its championship, while its Qatari neighbor has just hosted the 2022 World Cup. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will make his official debut with Al Nasr on 22 January, three days after the prestigious friendly against Paris Saint-Germain Leo Messi on 19 January in Riyadh.