Cristiano Ronaldo signed a record-breaking contract to play for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr squad through the year 2025, making him the highest paid football player in history.
The Portuguese, who will turn 38 in February, became a free agent after parting ways with Manchester United amicably a few days after giving a damning interview to UK television journalist Piers Morgan about the English football team.
According to reports, at over $214 million annually, Ronaldo’s contract is the single-largest one ever signed by a professional football player.
After the move was complete, Ronaldo claimed he is “eager to experience a new football league in a different country”.
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“I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football and feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia.”
Nine-time Saudi Pro League champions Al Nassr stated in their announcement of the acquisition that they anticipate Ronaldo’s influence to have a substantial positive impact on football in the area.
“History in the making,” they wrote on social media.
“This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves.”
A number of elite European clubs were reportedly contacted by Ronaldo and his agent, Jorge Mendes, to test their interest in acquiring Ronaldo, but none of their top choices were reportedly willing to meet the veteran forward’s enormous pay demands.
He left Manchester United with six months left on his $600,000 per week contract and received a two-game domestic club competition punishment for smacking a teenage fan’s phone out of his hand as he exited the field following United’s loss to Everton in April.
It is known that this suspension will cause him to delay making his Al Nassr debut.
