While this may not come as a total surprise to those who had kind of anticipated such a likely development, Cristiano Ronaldo has finally clinched his deal with a club outside of Europe for the first time in his career, signing for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in a deal which will see him earn upwards of £173million per year.
Equally unsurprising, Ronaldo – the superstar who had always been wont to declare himself the GOAT – claims that he left Europe because there’s nothing else for him to win. A statement that obviously only someone with the humongous ego and swagger that the Portugal striker possesses could make without even batting an eyelid, whilst attempting to look humble like his nemesis Lionel Messi.
The 37-year-old former Man Utd, Real Madrid and Juventus striker joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on Friday, officially putting pen to paper on a lucrative two-and-a-half year deal. Ronaldo is set to earn an eye-watering £173million per year in the Middle East, a move which also signals the conclusion of his top-level career in the highest echelons of European football.
Disenchanted due to his ineligibility to play the highest level European competitions such as the Champions League – which he won four times with Real Madrid and once at Manchester United –Ronaldo has attempted, albeit unconvincingly, for walking away from European football.
“I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner explained upon his announcement. “I feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia.”
With his latest move, Ronaldo appears to be leaving behind arguably the greatest European career of all-time, one forged over 21 glittering years. Having acquired five Champions League crowns, seven league titles in England, Italy and Spain, and 20 other trophies at club level, the Portugal captain had also led his nation to a historic win at Euro 2016, the first of two honors at international level.
And that’s exactly why Al-Nassr view his transfer as so seismic, with a club statement reading: “This is more than history in the making. 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. Welcome, Cristiano, to your new home.”
Ronaldo, who’d been without a club since his acrimonious departure from United in November, added: “Al-Nassr’s vision is very inspiring and impressive. I look forward to a different league experience in a different country. I am excited to join my team-mates as soon as possible.”