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Cristiano Ronaldo joins Al Nassr to become highly-paid player ever; social media in splits

By Ayush GuptaFirst Published Dec 31, 2022, 9:58 AM IST
Highlights

Cristiano Ronaldo has completed his move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr after parting ways with Manchester United last month. It would be his maiden stint outside Europe, while social media is in splits about his move.

Portuguese sensation has ventured into a new version of football, moving away from his general European football and migrating to Asian football, signing for Saudi Arabian giant Al Nassr. He will now play in the Saudi Pro League after he terminated his contract with English giants Manchester United last month following an explosive interview with football journalist Piers Morgan. He accused the latter of betraying him and that he had lost respect for head coach Erik ten Hag. He signed for the Saudi giant until 2025 for a reported pay of โ‚ฌ200 million, making him the most highly-paid player in the world.

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆโœ๏ธA breakdown of Cristiano Ronaldoโ€™s two-year contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr;

๐Ÿ’ถโ‚ฌ200M/year
๐Ÿ’ถโ‚ฌ16.67M/month
๐Ÿ’ถโ‚ฌ3.888M/week
๐Ÿ’ถโ‚ฌ555,555/day
๐Ÿ’ถโ‚ฌ23,150/hour
๐Ÿ’ถโ‚ฌ386/minute
๐Ÿ’ถโ‚ฌ6.5/second

๐Ÿ’ฐItโ€™s the BIGGEST CONTRACT EVER in the history of football.| pic.twitter.com/Pf97jUXtoP

โ€” FIFA World Cup Stats (@alimo_philip)

After an unimpressive outing in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, Portugal was ousted in the quarterfinal, with Ronaldo managing just a goal. Thus, the five-time Ballon dโ€™Or winner will have his first football stint outside Europe. The Knights of Najd have won the SPL nine times, including six Kingโ€™s Cup crowns, three now-defunct Saudi Crown Princeโ€™s Cups, and two Saudi Super Cups.

Cristiano Ronaldo's career at the top ends today. Itโ€™s sad but he has the right to make that choice. I and millions of others wonโ€™t forget all the incredible moments he produced across his 20 year career. Forever my favourite footballer ever. Thank you, Cristiano. pic.twitter.com/pdHtig2Myk

โ€” TC (@totalcristiano)

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๐…๐ˆ๐๐€๐‹๐‹๐˜! ๐‡๐„ ๐ˆ๐’ ๐‡๐„๐‘๐„! ๐Ÿ™Œ

Welcome to Asian football, ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น Cristiano Ronaldo! ๐Ÿคฉ pic.twitter.com/97po3PApJW

โ€” #ACL2022 (@TheAFCCL)

Besides winning the Asian Cup Winnersโ€™ Cup and Asian Super Cup on one occasion, it also won the now-discontinued GCC Champions League twice. Al Nassr is ranked second in the SPL table, having reached the pre-quarters of the Kingโ€™s Cup and the semis of the Super Cup. A top rank in the SPL would allow the club to feature in the AFC Champions League group stage next season.

History in the making ๐Ÿ

A very special welcome to Roshn Saudi League for Cristiano Ronaldo! ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ

One of footballโ€™s greats will be playing at Al Nassr ๐Ÿ’› | | pic.twitter.com/DEACrmzr2P

โ€” Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN)

After confirming the signing, the Knights of Najd said in a tweet, โ€œHistory in the making. It is a signing that will inspire our club to achieve even greater success and our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls, to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFC.โ€

Al Nassr players after Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr to earn โ‚ฌ200m a year: pic.twitter.com/BwMUiqd8Zd

โ€” KYSTAR (@KYSTAR)

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UNPOPULAR OPINION: Wayne Rooney should be regarded more of a legend for Manchester United than Cristiano Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/JFmtSmNJvv

โ€” FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys)

In the meantime, Ronaldo stated after joining Al Nassr, โ€œIโ€™m thrilled for a new experience in a different league and a different country. The vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring. Iโ€™m very excited to join my teammates and help the team achieve more successโ€. Meanwhile, social media was in splits with this move of his.

Do you agree with Sir Alex Ferguson about Cristiano Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/fUKDYaSYlq

โ€” Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK)
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