Cristiano Ronaldo Signs New Al Nassr Contract To Extend Saudi Stay

‎On Thursday, Al Nassr announced that Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year contract extension with the Saudi Arabian club, ending months of speculation about which team he would join for the upcoming season.

‎”Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at @AlNassrFC until 2027,” the club wrote in a post on X.

‎Minutes before the official confirmation, the team posted a teaser video, with the 40-year-old Ronaldo walking along a beachfront and saying, “Al Nassr forever”.

‎Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2022 following his departure from Manchester United as a free agent, has scored 93 goals in 105 appearances across all competitions for the club.

‎He signed a 2½-year contract with Al Nassr shortly after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

‎This deal made him the highest-paid athlete globally, a position he has maintained for the past three years, according to Forbes. At 40 years old, Ronaldo’s estimated total earnings are approximately $275 million.

‎Last month, he sparked rumours of a departure when he posted “This chapter is over” hours after the Saudi Pro League wrapped up with Al Nassr finishing third and trophyless once again.

‎However, those rumours have now been ended.

‎Ronaldo’s impact in the Saudi Pro League

‎A source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) told AFP last month that Ronaldo’s presence has played a key role in growing the Saudi league over the past two and a half years.

‎He has helped attract elite and young players to Saudi Arabia. The PIF, which is funded by oil revenue, is a major investor in Saudi football.

‎It controls several Pro League clubs, including Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli.

‎Although Ronaldo was the Pro League’s top scorer last season with 25 goals, he has been unable to win a Saudi or continental trophy with Al Nassr, who lost in the Asian Champions League semi-finals last month.

‎Saudi Arabia has shaken up football by spending heavily on stars from Europe, starting with Ronaldo’s move in late 2022, and the desert nation will host the World Cup in 2034.

‎For the past two years, Saudi football fans could watch the likes of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, with six Ballons d’Or between them, on any given weekend during the football season in the kingdom.

‎The Saudi football initiative has been likened to China’s Super League, which saw players paid high salaries before many teams faced financial issues as the economy slowed.

‎Ronaldo and Saudi Arabia’s Ambition

‎With Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 World Cup, the country is also trying to transform itself into a major tourism and business center. As such, further growth and investment in the Pro League are expected.

‎Ronaldo is also eyeing the 1,000-goal milestone in his career. He has scored 794 goals in club football and 138 for Portugal to take his tally to 932.

‎Although Ronaldo has won the Arab Club Champions Cup with Al Nassr, he has yet to lead them to the Saudi Pro League title.

‎Their best finishes have been as runners-up in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Last season, they finished in third place.