Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly received a massive contract offer from a Saudi Arabian club. Al Nassr FC supposedly offered the 37-year-old forward a deal that could be worth over $200 million per year. Ronaldo is now a free agent. Manchester United released him from his contract earlier this month. Therefore, he can choose any option he wishes.
NBC Sports is claiming that the offer is a two-and-a-half year deal worth up to $517 million. If true, this would work out to over $17 million per month for Ronaldo to play in Saudi Arabia. Part of the contract negotiations from Al Nassr includes compensating Ronaldo for the wages at Manchester United that he missed out on. The star had about six months and $16 million left on his previous deal with United before termination.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has also suggested that sponsorship deals make up a large part of the potential money. Image rights are also in negotiations as well. Players receive more money if they own their image rights while at a club.
Al Nassr has previously signed some significant players to their roster. They currently have Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar, Brazil’s Luiz Gustavo, and Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina. However, potentially signing Ronaldo would obviously be a huge move by the Saudi team.
Saudi club among last spots for Cristiano Ronaldo
There has been plenty of speculation surrounding Ronaldo’s next destination. Chelsea, Napoli, and Bayern Munich all have rumors circulating over potential interest in signing the star. However, massive European clubs appear to be hesitant to make a move for Ronaldo.
Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn recently dismissed rumors of signing Ronaldo. “We all appreciate him, there’s no discussion,” Kahn told Sky Sports Germany. “We all love Cristiano Ronaldo, but that’s something that doesn’t fit into our idea.”
For now, Ronaldo focuses on Portugal and the World Cup. The Portuguese finish out Group H play with a match against South Korea on Friday. Ronaldo and company have already qualified for the knockout phase of the tournament.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Agenxia Mexsport
