Following weeks of rumors about his future plans, Cristiano Ronaldo announced a two-year extension with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr.
The club announced in a post on X on Thursday that Cristiano Ronaldo would remain at AlNassrFC until 2027.
The team released a teaser video moments before the official confirmation, in which Ronaldo, 40, walks along a beachfront and declares, “Al Nassr forever.”
The Portuguese superstar, who was in the latter stages of his career, greeted the kingdom in 2023, bringing with him a flurry of players eager to travel to the oil-rich nation.
Ronaldo posted “This chapter is over” shortly after Al Nassr finished third and trophy-less once more in the Saudi Pro League.
“Ronaldo’s presence has played a significant role in the development of the Saudi league over the past two and a half. A major investor in Saudi football, a source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), told AFP last month that “he opens the door for elite and young players to come to Saudi Arabia.”
A group of Pro League clubs, including Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli, are controlled by the oil-funded PIF, the sovereign wealth fund that oversees a number of significant Saudi investments.
Time for a title
Ronaldo made the announcement in May, just months after Brazilian superstar Neymar, who had only played for Al Hilal seven times, made the announcement on a reported $104 million a year.
Ronaldo, who scored 25 goals in the Pro League, was unable to capture a Saudi or continental title with Al Nassr, who lost in last month’s Asian Champions League semifinal defeat.
The five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or announced last year that he could leave Al Nassr, the Riyadh team that many Saudi royals favor.
Saudi Arabia has resurrended football by investing a lot of money in European stars, starting with Ronaldo’s move in late 2022, and the desert nation will host the World Cup in 2034.
Saudi football fans have been able to watch Ronaldo and Karim Benzema for six consecutive weekends during the kingdom’s football season.
However, the oil-fueled Saudi football project has drawn comparisons to the Chinese Super League, which paid exorbitant wages to players before the Chinese economy crashed before the team owners went bust.
There is likely more from the Pro League now that Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the 2034 World Cup and is determined to reshape itself as a tourist and business magnet before the world oil demand finally drops.
Ronaldo made an appearance in a deal that was later reported to be worth $250 million when he first signed for Riyadh’s Al Nassr two years ago.
The Story continues.. 🐐 💛
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Source: Aljazeera
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