Cristiano Ronaldo inks huge Al Nassr deal until 2027, fueling Saudi Pro League’s star surge. Despite being the League's top scorer, Ronaldo is yet to win a title with Al Nassr
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| Photo credit _AP News |
In a jaw-dropping move, Al Nassr unveiled a thrilling two-year contract extension with global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday, securing his future with the Saudi Arabian powerhouse until 2027 and putting an end to swirling speculation about his next chapter.
The 40-year-old superstar cemented his unwavering dedication in a electrifying video released by the club, boldly proclaiming, “Al Nassr forever,” sending fans into a frenzy. Ronaldo’s blockbuster arrival in 2023 triggered a seismic shift, sparking a wave of high-profile, seasoned players flocking to the Saudi Pro League, transforming it into a magnet for football’s elite.
However, whispers of uncertainty emerged when Ronaldo cryptically posted This chapter is over on social media after Al Nassr’s disappointing third-place finish in the Saudi Pro League, leaving them without silverware despite his chart-topping goal-scoring heroics, fueling rampant rumors about a potential exit until this game-changing announcement reaffirmed his commitment to the club’s ambitious journey.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s magnetic presence has been a game-changer for the Saudi Pro League over the past two and a half years, paving the way for both elite veterans and rising stars to flock to Saudi Arabia, according to a Public Investment Fund (PIF) source speaking to AFP.
The PIF, which steers the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, holds the reins of major clubs like Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli. The buzz around Ronaldo’s contract extension comes hot on the heels of Neymar’s exit from Al Hilal in January, after a fleeting 18-month spell where the Brazilian played just seven games while reportedly pocketing $104 million a year.
Despite Ronaldo’s red-hot form, netting 25 goals to lead the league, he’s still chasing his first Saudi or continental trophy with Al Nassr, who recently fell short in the Asian Champions League semi-finals.
In a stunning development, the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or recipient, has openly suggested that he may bring his extraordinary career to a close with Al Nassr, a club deeply revered by Saudi Arabia’s royal family and a cornerstone of the nation’s footballing ambitions.
Since Ronaldo’s seismic transfer in late 2022, Saudi Arabia has dramatically reshaped its football landscape, funneling colossal investments into attracting Europe’s most celebrated talents, a trend that began with his arrival and has positioned the country as a burgeoning global football hub, now poised to host the 2034 World Cup.
Saudi fans have been electrified by the chance to watch world-class stars like Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who together hold an impressive six Ballon d’Or awards, showcasing their brilliance in routine Saudi Pro League matches, transforming local stadiums into stages for footballing artistry.
Some pundits draw striking parallels between the Saudi Pro League’s meteoric rise and the Chinese Super League’s earlier boom, which once enticed top players with lavish salaries before grappling with financial instability, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of such aggressive investment.
The league’s rapid ascent aligns seamlessly with Saudi Arabia’s grand Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to reposition the kingdom as a vibrant tourism and business destination in anticipation of a future where global oil demand diminishes.
Ronaldo’s transformative journey with Al Nassr kicked off two years ago with a jaw-dropping $250 million contract, a landmark deal that not only marked a pivotal shift in his storied career but also signaled Saudi Arabia’s bold intent to redefine its place in the global footballing order.
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