When money bypasses dignity
The Portuguese once said that a pension contract in the Arab world was out of the question for him. A few million later, all of that is forgotten: now it’s changing anyway.
News in gialloblù: Cristiano Ronaldo and a representative of Al-Nassr FC on Friday in Riyadh.
Photo: EPA/Keystone
Despite all claims to the contrary, it is the next sporting step backwards for Cristiano Ronaldo, albeit a financially extremely lucrative one. Instead of Old Trafford Msool Park, instead of the Premier League, the Saudi Pro League. And instead of the hoped-for return to the Champions League, the 37-year-old Portuguese won’t even get the Asian club this season after moving to Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia.
After the inglorious start to Manchester United and the reserve role for Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar, the five-time world footballer, who was without a club, moves to the B league in Saudi Arabia – and will disappear from the European club stage. Furthermore, he will play in a country repeatedly criticized internationally for human rights violations.
Financially, however, Ronaldo is likely to leap into previously unknown dimensions. “I’m looking forward to a new football league in another country,” said Ronaldo, who spoke of a “very inspiring vision” of the club on his accounts. “I’m happy to have won everything I could in European football and I feel now is the right time to share my experience in Asia.”
One of the great stars of world football thus clarified his future before the start of the transfer market in the top European leagues. Until January 31, the focus should now be primarily on players who played well at the World Cup. Professionals such as the Argentinian Enzo Fernandez or the Moroccans Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi are exchanged in various top clubs.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, can concentrate entirely on his new club. It didn’t take long for the Portuguese’s 2015 statements to circulate and snide commentary. He wanted to end his career with dignity and at the highest level, he said at the time in a television interview. “That doesn’t mean it’s bad to play in the US, Qatar or Dubai leagues, but I don’t see myself there,” he said.
He could not find a new employer in Europe
But the highest level has been denied to one of the most successful footballers. It is an open secret that Ronaldo wanted to continue his career at a club in the European Champions League and he has been offered to quite a few clubs. But it was not possible to find a new employer in Europe. North American Major League Soccer teams were also reportedly very interested in Portuguese.
Unsurprisingly, Ronaldo’s sporting relegation is significantly sweetened financially. According to media reports, including advertising revenue, he should get the equivalent of around €200m per season. He signed for two and a half years. That would mean: more than half a billion. This could be followed by additional sums in the millions for ambassadorial work for the Gulf state.
According to an unconfirmed Saudi media report, the move will be financed with the help of several sponsors. In addition to some companies, the Saudi government is also involved as a donor. The football club itself has not yet commented on how it intends to finance the commitment of the new, expensive player.
Al-Nassr FC currently leads the table in the Saudi Pro League. However, the club is not represented in the Asian Champions League this season. The squad includes some professionals who have previously played in Europe. For example Luiz Gustavo, who once worked at Wolfsburg and FC Bayern, or the Colombian goalkeeper and former Arsenal professional David Ospina. The team is coached by Frenchman Rudi Garcia, who recently worked for first division club Olympique Lyon.
Debut already on Thursday?
According to Saudi media reports, Ronaldo was expected in Riyadh on Sunday. Consequently, he could already be used in the match against Al-Tai on Thursday. And apparently more stars will soon follow. There are mainly rumors about the Spaniards Sergio Busquets (34) and Sergio Ramos (36).
Anticipation for the former world soccer player is obviously huge in the strictly conservative Gulf state. “One of football’s greats will play at Al-Nassr,” the Pro League tweeted. “Welcome to your new home,” Sports Minister Abdulasis bin Turki al-Faisal wrote.
Saudi media reported that thousands of fans have already had the club’s yellow and blue kit printed with Ronaldo’s number seven. Al-Nassr jerseys should therefore be sold out in all sizes for the time being. During an Al-Nassr match on Saturday, fans were reportedly chanting Ronaldo’s name in the seventh minute, media reported. They also welcomed the newcomer on banners.
An immediate success: big and small fans rushed to Saudi Arabian shops to buy a Cristiano Ronaldo shirt.
Photo: Fayez Nurldine (AFP)
In other places, however, Ronaldo’s reputation is likely to suffer. Critics accuse Saudi Arabia of wanting to polish its reputation with its involvement in professional sports. Among other things, the country reportedly wants to bid for the 2030 World Cup.
In this attempt, Ronaldo could therefore become an advertising medium, as well as his longtime rival Lionel Messi. The Argentine world champion is the face of a Saudi Arabian tourism campaign. But Messi will still play for Paris Saint-Germain this season and possibly next, and unlike Ronaldo, he will likely return to the European Champions League. Unlike his longtime opponent he also has a chance to win it this year.
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