What awaits Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia as the ex-Man Utd star agrees £173m-a-year move to Al Nassr
CRISTIANO RONALDO has signed a £173MILLION-a-year deal to join Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.
The Portugal superstar, 37, was released by the Red Devils, after slamming the club and its manager in a tell-all interview with Piers Morgan.
And the Portuguese superstar and his young family will now be heading to the Middle East after Al Nassr sensationally confirmed the deal confirmed the deal on has signed on the dotted line.
The deal on the table is believed to be for seven years – two and a half years as a player – before taking on an ambassadorial role.
But what awaits Ronaldo when he lands in Saudi Arabia?
For starters, there are amazing private mansions worth millions and housed in exclusive compounds that promise security for him and his family.
Then, there’s a first class footballing set-up with a team that can genuinely challenge for a league title.
Wags to riches
Paramount to Ronaldo is the happiness of his brood.
He will have to consider Georgina Rodriguez and children Cristiano Jr, Eva, Matteo, Alana Martina, and Bella as he pursues his next steps.
Financially, it’s a no-brainer – and will add immense wealth to his astonishing estimated £500million fortune.
And a life in Saudi Arabia would see him live like a king and Georgina, a queen.
A mansion in an ex-pat compound away from prying eyes where the country’s Conservative strict Islamic laws can be relaxed, could work for them.
Al Nassr are based in Riyadh – the Saudi capital – where temperatures can exceed 50 degrees and sandstorms are common.
What once was a sprawling desert surrounded by palm trees, is now a metropolis of skyscrapers, shopping malls filled with high-end designers, as well as historic mosques.
The rejuvenation of the city is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who wants to modernise his country.
Already, they are embracing other cultures – with shops currently allowed to display Christmas decorations in their windows for a third consecutive year.
They even have their own Winter Wonderland, while a perfume expo attracts the country’s wealthy women. Georgina, take note.
Where Ronaldo could live
Riyadh boasts a number of wealthy neighbourhoods.
Ronaldo and family could settle in Al Muhammadiyah – which boasts an incredible nightlife, including the best restaurants in town.
Or, there’s Al Nakheel – an area filled with the best international schools to educate their kids.
Location-wise, both are close to Al Nassr’s 25,000 all-seater stadium once known as the King Saud University Stadium – a far cry from the crowds of 74,000 plus Ronaldo is used to playing in front of at Old Trafford.
More importantly, though, there are tons of private compounds where the Ronaldos could live that are ideal for the Westerners.
And most of these palaces feature their own swimming pools, pre-schools, shops, clinics, gyms and restaurants – meaning you never have to leave the compound.
Rentals are mostly let by employers of ex-pats in private agreements, but should Ronaldo wish to extend his property portfolio, his potential options are ideal for his circumstances.
One property SunSport has seen is an eight-bedroom mega-mansion that features its own Olympic-sized swimming pool, a reception room with an extravagant waterfall, as well as three guest villas on its grounds in the Al Macqa neighbourhood.
The option of live-in maids and chauffeurs is also available, should Ronaldo and Georgina want the royalt treatment.
The team
Ronaldo’s biggest frustration in the past year at Man Utd was the team’s inability to challenge for trophies.
Al Nassr are recognised as one of Saudi’s most famous clubs – and were formed in 1955.
They have nine league titles to their name, with the last triumph coming in 2019.
Their facilities are second to none in the country – Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao both used their stadium ahead of their Super Cup final earlier this year.
This season they are genuine title contenders – currently second in the Saudi Pro League, two points behind Al-Shabab.
On the world stage, they’ve yet to make their mark – with a disappointing Club World Cup campaign in the 1999-2000 season as good as it got.
Their squad today is filled with players Premier League audiences may know.
Ex-Arsenal keeper David Ospina, who starred for five years at the Emirates, plays between the sticks.
Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo, a favourite of Luis Felipe Scolari at the 2014 World Cup, anchors the midfield.
While Ronaldo’s potential strike-partner Vincent Aboubakar played in Qatar for Cameroon at the 2022 World Cup – helping his country down Brazil with a winning goal in the group stages.
Al Nassr are managed by experienced French coach Rudi Garcia, who boasts Roma, Marseille, Lyon and Lille on his CV – winning the French double with the latter.
Past coaches have included Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro, while mad ex-Colombia keeper Rene Higuita was also once on their staff too.
Garcia has seemingly found a winning formula – with the club ready to be crowned champions again.
And they now have a five-time Ballon d’Or winner too.