Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr expires at the end of the current season but the former Manchester United star looks set to sign a lucrative new deal that will see Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo earn at least £168m a year if he signs a new deal with Al Nassr.
The former Manchester United star is out of contract with the Saudi Pro League side at the end of the current campaign. Ronaldo has been in the Gulf state since January 2023 after a shock exit from Old Trafford.
Ronaldo earns £164m a season with Al Nassr on a basic salary, with another £49m coming in off the pitch. The Saudis are keen to tie the 39-year-old Portuguese superstar down to a new contract and are thought to be offering him a pay rise to keep him.
Spanish newspaper Marca has detailed Ronaldo’s incredible new contract with Al Nassr. According to the contract, Ronaldo will earn an additional £4m, increasing from £164m to £168m a year, and will also be offered a number of attractive bonuses at Al Nassr. In addition, the Portuguese superstar will also receive part ownership of the Al Nassr club.
Ronaldo has apparently been offered the opportunity to buy around 5% of Al Nassr as the restructuring process is underway. A new chairman and CEO of Al Nassr will be appointed in the coming months.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund currently owns 75% of Al Nassr, as well as shares in a number of other strong clubs in the Saudi Pro League such as Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli. Ronaldo has consistently supported the Saudi Arabian Pro League, recently stating that the Saudi Pro League is better than France’s top flight Ligue 1.
“The Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1, of course,” said Cristiano Ronaldo, “There is only PSG in France. The rest are done. Try sprinting in 38, 39, 40 degrees in Saudi Arabia and see. It is difficult to be champions in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Hilal are better this year, Al Ittihad are top of the league, but I believe we have to do our best to be champions. I have won everywhere I have played and I believe I will win in Saudi Arabia, but I won this title by scoring a lot of goals and assists, and maintaining my form.”
Meanwhile, Ronaldo finally admitted last year that players followed him to the Middle East for the money. Ronaldo said: “I knew that players would follow me to Saudi Arabia, not only financially, but the main thing you can say is the football culture.
I know the football culture in Saudi Arabia is great because I have friends who have played there, Portuguese coaches have been there. Of course, if you ask me: Did you expect big stars to move there so quickly? No. But I expected football to change here because of me. I believe in myself, not only in football but in other areas as well.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 81 goals in 90 games for Al Nassr, could soon be reunited with a former Manchester United team-mate. It is thought that Ronaldo has asked Al Nassr’s leadership to make a move for Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.
