Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly agreed a record-breaking £172.9million-a-year contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
The 37-year-old had his Manchester United contract terminated earlier this month, following a tumultuous relationship with club chiefs that only worsened when he made a number of controversial statements in a TV interview with Piers Morgan.
And now Ronaldo is said to have sensationally agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with Al Nassr – worth an eye-watering £172.9million per year – that will see him play until the age of 40, according to Spanish newspaper outlet Marca.
Sources close to the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar insist no deal has been signed and that Ronaldo remains focused on the World Cup with his country, but reports in Spain today claim the ‘dizzying figures’ have been agreed.
The Portugal international was pushing for a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, but did not get his wish as he was determined to play Champions League football.
The former Real Madrid star rejected a switch to Saudi last summer, but without any firm interest from Europe’s elite clubs, he looks set to now make the move to the Middle East.
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly agreed a £172.9million-a-year deal with Saudi side Al Nassr
Al-Nassr are one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, having being crowned winners of the country’s top flight nine times, with their most recent triumph coming in 2019.
In both 2020 and 2021, Al-Nassr may not have won the league, but they did manage to win the Saudi Super Cup.
The club, however, have struggled to make a splash on the global scene, but they did compete in the Club World Cup in the 1999-2000 season.
That year they played against Real Madrid in their group, losing 3-1, with Nicolas Anelka and Raul among the scorers for the Spanish giants.
Al-Nassr are one of the most successful clubs in Saudi, having won the Saudi league nine times
They went on to beat Raja Casablanca 4-3, but lost 2-0 to Brazilian side Corinthians as they missed out on a place in the knockout stages of the competition.
Al-Nassr are currently managed by Frenchman Rudi Garcia, who has previously coached Roma, Marseille and Lyon.
The Saudi giants also currently have a few big-name stars of the past in the form of former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo and Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar – who scored a contender for goal of the tournament at the Qatar World Cup earlier this week.
Vincent Aboubakar (pictured) is among the big name stars that currently play for Al-Nassr
Former Arsenal and Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina (pictured) is among the other big names
They play at Mrsool Park, which has a capacity of 25,000, a huge reduction on playing in front of 74,310 at Old Trafford.
Their chairman, Musalli Almuammar, was previously the president of the entire division, the Saudi Pro League, between March 2018 and March 2020.
He now has an advisory role for the General Entertainment Authority, a government department that regulates the entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Nassr play at Mrsool Park, which has a capacity of 25,000, quite a difference to Old Trafford
Some of the club’s former coaches will also catch your eye as World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro managed the club for four months between October 2015 and February 2016 before terminating his contract.
Meanwhile, Colombian icon Rene Higuita was the club’s goalkeeping coach from 2011 to 2016.
Higuita pulled off one of the most memorable saves in history when he produced a scorpion kick to keep out Jamie Redknapp’s mishit effort for England at Wembley in 1995.
Another huge factor for Ronaldo might be that Al-Nassr’s backroom staff is said to be predominantly made up of Portuguese, eight of the 12 members.
The same report has also suggested that no club from Europe or the MLS could afford to offer anywhere near such a luxurious offer.
Colombian icon Rene Higuita was the Al Nassr’s goalkeeping coach from 2011 to 2016
Sportsmail exclusively revealed earlier this month that Ronaldo would kiss goodbye to £16million after it was confirmed that he has left Manchester United by mutual consent with immediate effect earlier this month following his explosive two-part interview with Morgan on TalkTV.
His departure led to plenty of speculation, although Premier League rivals Chelsea have also cooled their interest in Ronaldo since his bombshell interview where he slammed United’s owner and manager Erik ten Hag.
Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn also ruled out a move for Ronaldo earlier this week.
‘We have already dealt with this,’ Kahn told Sky Sport Germany. ‘We have a clear idea, a clear philosophy of how our squad should be put together.
‘We all appreciate him, there’s no discussion.
‘We all love Cristiano Ronaldo, but that’s something that doesn’t fit into our idea.’
Former United team-mate Gary Neville previously backed Ronaldo to succeed in a ‘cameo role’ at a top European club.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo is going to be looking for a top club on a four/five-month contract where he can go in and do a brilliant cameo role at the very elite of European football. That’s what I think his priority will be,’ Neville told Sky Sports in Qatar.
‘Stay in the Champions League, stay at the very top and prove what happened at Manchester United isn’t right.
‘I still think he has four or five great months in him somewhere and he will go in, score 15/20 goals in that period, everybody in Manchester will say ‘why didn’t we keep him’, the Premier League will as well.’
Ronaldo, however, remains focused for the time being on the World Cup in Qatar as he looks to help Portugal top their group when they face South Korea on Friday afternoon.
Ronaldo remains focused on helping Portugal top their group at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
The forward became the first man in history to score at five different World Cups, opening the scoring from the penalty spot in a thrilling 3-2 win over Ghana.
He then thought he had drawn level with Eusebio’s record of nine goals at the World Cup finals for Portugal when they beat Uruguay 2-0 in their second group-stage match.
The opening goal was instead awarded to his former Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes, denying him yet another record.
One that he will be determined to break during the major tournament in Qatar, as it could prove to be his last World Cup.
Ronaldo will be looking to add to his impressive honours haul, having won the Champions League five times, four Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, two LaLiga titles, a pair of Copa del Reys, two Spanish Super Cups, three Premier League titles, two Serie A crowns, an Italian Cup, one FA Cup, two Community Shields, and the Portuguese Super Cup.
The 37-year-old forward had his Manchester United contract terminated earlier this month