After leaving Manchester United to become a free agent, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian Club Al Nassr on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
After an explosive television interview in which Ronaldo said he felt betrayed by the club and did not respect their Dutch manager Erik ten Hag, the 37-year-old departed Old Trafford last month.
In a media statement, Al Nassr said the five-time Ballon Dor winner will join until 2025, but they did not disclose the financial terms.
Media reports estimate Ronaldo’s contract to be worth more than 200 million euros ($214.04 million).
Ronaldo vocalized in a statement,” I feel lucky to have triumphed over everything, I set out to score in European football, and right now is the right time to partake my skills in Asia.”
After a glittering spell at Spanish giants Real Madrid from 2009-18, Ronaldo will arrive in Saudi Arabia with a vast collection of club honors, including two La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, four Champions League titles, and three Club World Cups. He also mentioned that he looks forward to joining his new teammates and helping the Club to succeed as a unit.
The striker scored a club-record 451 goals for Real and has more than 800 senior goals overall.
In three years at Juventus, Ronaldo won two Serie A titles and a Copa Italia trophy before returning to United, where he won three Premier League titles, two League Cups, the FA Cup, the Champions League, and the World Cup.
After scoring a penalty against Ghana in Portugal’s opening Group H game, he became the first player to score at five World Cups.
Morocco knocked Portugal out of the quarterfinals.
The World Cup in Qatar was probably Ronaldo’s last, as he plans to retire at 40. A move to Saudi Arabia would likely be Ronaldo’s swansong in the game alongside Lionel Messi.
Musalli Al Muammar, President of Al Nassr Football Club, said, “This is more than history in the making. It inspires our league, our nation, and future generations.”
With nine Saudi Pro Premier League titles to their name, the Saudi Arabian Club hopes Ronaldo can help them win another domestic league title and also the first AFC Asian Champions League.
In April, after United’s defeat at Everton, the Portuguese forward knocked a fan’s phone out of their hand and was banned for two games.
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