Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabia side Al-Nassr FC on a free transfer after his mutual contract termination at Manchester United.
He is set to earn around €200m a season.
The 37 year old has signed for two years initially but the deal also includes a five-year commitment to represent Saudi Arabia as a marketing ambassador in the country’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup together with Egypt and Greece.
“This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation, and future generations, boys and girls, to be the best version of themselves,” the club said in an official statement.
Ronaldo says he is very happy to move to Saudi Arabia and to help Al Nassr win ttiles.
‘I’m thrilled for a new experience in a different league and a different country; the vision that Al-Nassr has is very inspiring,” Ronaldo said.
‘I’m very excited to join my teammates and to help the team to achieve more success.”
Transfermarkt reports that the Portuguese is now the best-paid athlete on the planet once the once advert revenue is included.
The American television station CBS Sports recently reported that the entire volume of the contract would earn Ronaldo €216m a year.
Paris Saint-Germain stars Lionel Messi (€75m a season) and Neymar (€70m a season) are nowhere near Ronaldo’s category.
