Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr after leaving Manchester United in controversial fashion, the club announced Friday.
According to reports, Ronaldo will receive $75 million per year through 2025 under the deal. Sources did not dispute that figure to ESPN.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
Ronaldo forced his way out of Old Trafford last month, mutually terminating his contract following a contentious TV interview.
Sources told ESPN that the 37-year-old trained alone at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground earlier this month as he prepared to make a decision on his future following Portugal’s exit from the World Cup.
الرياضي الأعظـم عالميًا 🌏
يـوقع رسميًا لـ #العالمي 🤩#رونالدو_نصراوي pic.twitter.com/BBq469mAYh— نادي النصر السعودي (@AlNassrFC) December 30, 2022
Ronaldo endured mixed fortunes at the tournament in Qatar, becoming the first male player to score in five World Cups but coming on only as a second-half substitute as Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarterfinals.
– Ogden: What Ronaldo can expect in the Saudi Pro League
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was coy about his international future following that defeat, saying he would “never turn my back on my teammates and my country” but adding that he would “let time be a good adviser and allow everyone to draw their own conclusions.”
Earlier this month United boss Erik ten Hag said the club were “looking to the future” after the forward’s departure, explaining that Ronaldo was “gone and it’s the past.”
Al-Nassr, who are based in Riyadh, play in the Saudi Pro League and have the second-most top-flight league titles in the country’s history.