Cristiano Ronaldo $500 Million Contract: What To Know About The Possible Deal With A Saudi Arabia Club
Cristiano Ronaldo has more on his mind than just trying to win the 2022 World Cup. As the soccer star competes with Portugal in Qatar, Ronaldo is reportedly mulling a contract offer worth more than $500 million from a club in Saudi Arabia.
Contrary to reports that Ronaldo has agreed to accept the offer, sources have told ESPN that the 37-year-old still hasn't made a decision about his future. Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr FC is believed to have offered Ronaldo a 2.5-year deal that would pay him around $207 million per season.
Ronaldo is expected to make a decision after Portugal plays its final match of the World Cup, according to ESPN. Portugal faces Switzerland on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. ET in the Round of 16.
It's unclear what clauses and incentives might be part of a deal that would pay Ronaldo significantly more money than he would earn in the top European leagues.
Ronaldo left Manchester United at the start of the World Cup. Manchester United agreed to end Ronaldo's contract after he criticized the club and manager Erik ten Hag.
"Maybe it's good for Manchester and probably is good for me as well to have a new chapter," Ronaldo said. "Probably. But I don't know. If I will be back, I will be the same Cristiano. But I hope people will be on my side and let me shine like I did at all the clubs and all years."
Ronaldo had been signed with Manchester United until the end of June. The club released the superstar, who had been looking to play elsewhere, without a buyout.
Ronaldo signed with United in August 2021. He inked a two-year deal contract worth just north of $63 million with an option for a third year.
Al-Nassr had been linked to Ronaldo before his contract with United was terminated. In July, Al-Nassr reportedly made a bid of more than $30 million during the transfer window for Ronaldo, offering to pay him close to $290 million for two seasons. Ronaldo requested a transfer to play in the Champions League and turned down the opportunity to go to Saudi Arabia.
In 2020, Ronaldo became the first active team-sport athlete to make at least $1 billion in career earnings, according to Forbes. The publication estimated in May that Ronaldo earned $115 million over the previous year, making him the third-highest-paid athlete in the world.
Along with Lionel Messi, Ronaldo is among the most prominent footballers in the world. He was not in serious contention for the 2022 Ballon d'or but has continued to show flashes of his top play that made him a superstar with Real Madrid.
Portugal advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup by winning Group H with a 2-0-1 record. Ronaldo scored a goal against Ghana in Portugal's first match of the tournament, becoming the first player to net a goal in five different World Cups.
The pursuit by Al-Nassr, a club that plays in a 25,000-seat stadium, comes amid other lucrative sports deals in Saudi Arabia, most notably the LIV Golf tour.
The tour — it boasts golf stars Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Lee Westwood among many others — has prompted criticism of the Saudi monarchy over corruption and human rights abuses. Saudi Arabia has been accused of trying to boost its public image through "sportswashing."
Some of the recognized players on the Al-Nassr roster include Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar, Argentina midfielder Pity Martinez, and Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.
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