Ronaldo joins Asian team.
According to Al Arabiya, 37-year-old striker Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year contract with Al Nassr in the Saudi Arabian league.
"Al Nassr officially signs Ronaldo until summer 2025," was the headline of an article in Al Arabiya on the evening of December 30th. The Saudi Arabian newspaper added that the contract between the two parties had been signed and was about to be announced.
At the same time, American newspapersCBS SportsAl Nassr also reported similar news, citing sources close to the company. Ronaldo has completed part of his medical examination and is eligible to sign the contract. He will undergo the remaining tests next week.
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| Cristiano Ronaldo poses in his number 7 jersey after agreeing to join Al-Nassr. Photograph:Al-Nassr |
Al Nassr is expected to announce the contract after the match against Al Khaleej on the evening of December 31st. The team has prepared everything to welcome Ronaldo, such as a house for him and his family in the expensive Al Muhammadiyah area near the team's training ground in the capital Riyadh.
The all-time leading goalscorer will receive a salary of $75 million per year at Al Nassr. His weekly salary is over one million dollars, not including image rights fees. Ronaldo will also take on a role in the campaign to help Saudi Arabia host the 2030 World Cup.
Ronaldo is expected to have the right to choose the team's coach, as Rudi Garcia is currently managing Al Nassr. They are currently second in the Saudi Arabian Pro League, with 23 points from 10 matches. Al Nassr needs to win the Pro League or the King's Cup this season to qualify for the AFC Champions League 2023-2024.
Al Nassr is the second most successful team in Saudi Arabian history with nine league titles, accounting for half of Al Hilal's titles. Currently, Al Hilal is banned from transfers until summer 2023 due to breach of agreement in the transfer of midfielder Mohamed Kanno.
Al Nassr plays at Mrsool Park, which has a seating capacity of 25,000, the sixth highest in the league. Their last Pro League title was in the 2018-2019 season. They have never won the AFC Champions League, finishing as runners-up once in 1995. Al Hilal holds the record for four AFC Champions League titles, while Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia has also won the tournament twice.
