Cristiano Ronaldo’s Lucrative Move to Al Nassr and Controversial Remarks on Saudi Pro League

In a significant move just over a year ago, Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, made headlines by securing a groundbreaking transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United and subsequent move to the Gulf state marked a pivotal moment in football history, setting the stage for other high-profile players to follow suit.

Ronaldo’s transfer to Al Nassr was confirmed on December 30, 2022, after his Manchester United contract was terminated amid a fallout with coach Erik ten Hag and a candid interview on Talk TV. The Portuguese star signed a staggering £177-million-a-year deal with Al Nassr, equivalent to approximately £3,403,846 per week. Over the course of around 60 weeks at the club, Ronaldo has reportedly earned a staggering £204,230,769.

Beyond the financial aspect, Ronaldo has spoken positively about the improvement in the standard of the Saudi Pro League since his arrival. At the Globe Soccer Awards last month, Ronaldo compared the league favorably to the French Ligue 1, stating that the Saudi league has become more competitive. However, his remarks sparked controversy, with players like Eden Hazard refuting his claims.

During an appearance on John Obi Mikel’s Obi One Podcast, Hazard disagreed with Ronaldo’s assessment, emphasizing the strength of Ligue 1 teams compared to Saudi Arabian clubs. Despite acknowledging the presence of big players in the Saudi league, Hazard maintained that Ligue 1 teams would likely prevail in a match against their Saudi counterparts, highlighting the talent and competitiveness of the French league.

Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr and his subsequent remarks on the Saudi Pro League have sparked debates within the football community, reflecting the evolving landscape of the sport and the increasing global reach of football clubs.