Earlier, reports claimed that legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with Al-Nassr includes a bonus to help Saudi Arabia's bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2030.
Legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo has been hitting the headlines since he joined for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr last month. The Portuguese talisman, awaiting his debut for his new club, signed a multi-million-pound contract after failing to find suitors in Europe.
According to reports, the 37-year-old striker will be paid 175 million pounds annually until 2025. However, there were also rumours that Ronaldo's contract includes an additional bonus of another 175 million pounds to help bring the FIFA World Cup 2030 to Saudi Arabia.
However, Ronaldo's new club Al-Nassr have denied these rumours and stated that the Portuguese legend's focus is on the club and taking it to greater heights.
"Al Nassr FC would like to clarify that contrary to the news, Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with Al Nassr does not involve commitments to any World Cup bid. His main focus is on Al Nassr and working with his teammates to help the club to achieve success," wrote the Saudi Arabian team on Twitter.
Al Nassr FC would like to clarify that contrary to news reports, Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with Al Nassr does not entail commitments to any World Cup bids.
His main focus is on Al Nassr and to work with his teammates to help the club achieve success.
Portugal, alongside Spain and Ukraine, is also gearing up to compete for hosting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2030. While Portugal and Ukraine have yet to host a World Cup, Spain has done so in the past. Egypt, Greece, and Saudi Arabia are the other bidders in this competitive three-continent event.
Ronaldo, who is currently serving a two-match FA ban over the infamous Everton incident last season, is expected to make his Al-Nassr debut against Al-Ettifaq on January 22 in the Saudi Pro League. However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner can debut on Saudi soil on January 19 against arch-rival Lionel Messi when Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face a combined XI of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal stars at the Riyadh Season Cup friendly exhibition.
Following Al-Nassr's strongly worded statement, Ronaldo fans took to Twitter to appreciate the club for supporting their icon. Some supporters also appealed to the European media to leave CR7 alone and not spread fake news about the Portuguese legend.
"Corrupt/biased media still chasing him even after he left Europe, spreading lies, fake news and malicious clickbait headlines to feed the trolls and CR7 antis. He's media's bread & butter. They will go hungry and homeless without him," noted one fan on the micro-blogging site.
Another added, "Great that you clarified. My Idolo is getting his bags for his footballing ability only," while a third stated, "He left Europe and their corrupt media, yet they don't want him to breathe. Corrupt Europe and their Corrupt media Should leave CR7 alone."
Here's a look at some of the reactions to Al-Nassr's clarification of the no involvement of Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia's bid to secure hosting rights of FIFA World Cup 2030:
corrupt/biased media still chasing him even after he left europe, spreading lies,fake news and malicious clickbait headlines to feed the trolls and cr7 antis,he's basically media's bread & butter, they will go hungry and homeless without him https://t.co/1fYI0rfRS6
— realmadrista7 (@realmadrista_7)Great that you clarified. My Idolo getting his bags for his footballing ability only 😍. https://t.co/BzW0KW8rcD
— ADONIS THE BLUEPRINT (@adonis_xoxo1)No shit. Al Nassr doesn’t have the legal authority to bind Ronaldo to such a term because performance (& presumably payment)would be rendered by & on behalf of a non-party. Any agreement regarding Ronaldo as a figurehead for a WC bid, would have to be between he and the Saudi FA https://t.co/ycfzahWd8K
— Ole was right, Esq. (@ole_was_right)He left Europe and their corrupt media, yet they don't want him to breathe. Corrupt Europe and their Corrupt media Should leave Cr7 alone https://t.co/sxl71hrpGJ
— NewAngel (@Vickiemoney)The fake news and hatred dosent escape him now as well🥲🥲 https://t.co/F5rjORuVaL
— A (@ModricHive)CR7 has said that only 5 out of 100 pieces of news about him are true. Those pathetic damn liars. https://t.co/M5ZTD0sHVE
— 2 ciyuan (@2Ciyuan)He can never turn his back on his country! Never! https://t.co/QfzMVDKdSB
— Soham Ghosh (@Rickcy7)a club protecting my goat https://t.co/5s2ibBtulO pic.twitter.com/jElRqYuygL
— swap that (@MrSplashman99_)Omgg finally a club that actually defend and support him https://t.co/h76rSmBwVZ
— EverythingCristiano (@EverythingCris2)Media still followed this guy to Saudi Arabia, leave him alone na 😫 https://t.co/azBvWmS3EK
— DKF Raihan (Abu Hayaa) 🇵🇸 (@A_M_Raihan)He has left Europe and still making headlines .. My 🐐..
media won’t let him rest and live his life in peace … https://t.co/BuIZToeXRa
you guys better stop taking any fake news about Cristiano Ronaldo serious else you'll keep releasing statements every week l
The media has been doing everything to tackle him and they won't stop. Just let them be. https://t.co/SiL8VtJNI1
This is how a SERIOUS club operates. Excuse my vulgar terminology, but world media/press just got sodomized...https://t.co/BVIE0oGC84
— Anonymous Lawyer (@riffflawyer)The media continue to lie on Ronaldo’s name everywhere he goes 🤦🏾♂️ https://t.co/f4qnahhiVz
— Genius (@GeniusMo10)Ronaldo was always unlikely to accept a commitment to the Saudi WC bid when Portugal is also eyeing the 2030 WC bid. https://t.co/PA8tYdJszE
— Romt (@Romt78)