Football star Cristiano Ronaldo will receive more than 400 million euros (about C$570 million) in Saudi Arabia, half of which to promote the kingdom’s future bid for the 2030 World Cup, a source close to told AFP. his new club.
The 37-year-old striker, who arrived in Riyadh last week, is by far the most famous player to join a Gulf side.
The Portuguese star will receive 200 million euros as part of his two-and-a-half-year contract with Al-Nassr, and “another 200 million” to be the “ambassador” of the joint bid that Saudi Arabia plans to submit with Greece and Egypt to organize the World Cup in 2030, said a source close to the negotiations, who requested anonymity.
The arrival of the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player is part of the kingdom’s desire to attract attention to its championship while its Qatari neighbor has just hosted the 2022 World Cup.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner and record-breaking goalscorer is set to make his Al-Nassr debut on January 22.
” Under the projectors “
According to the same source, the deal was backed by members of the royal family, including the country’s crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, often referred to by his initials MBS.
“MBS and (his brothers) Naif, Turki and Rakan, the children of King Salman, are all honorary members of Al-Nassr, from the time before their father became crown prince.”
“They wanted to give supremacy to their club and put it in the spotlight. The best way was to bring the best player in the world,” she added.
According to this source, the sovereign wealth fund of the conservative kingdom, Public Investment Fund (PIF), was put to use.
“Al-Nassr and the other Saudi clubs do not have the necessary funds for such a contract. It was PIF who guaranteed the payment”.
The Saudi sovereign wealth fund, which is investing more and more in the world of sport, bought English football club Newcastle last year.
It also funds LIV Golf, a tour that has divided the golf world by attracting the biggest stars of the US PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
Another source close to Al-Nassr confirmed to AFP that the princes were behind the surprise deal.
“It was the MBS brothers who suggested the deal and sought to complete it at all costs,” she said.
“They are all fans of Al-Nassr and wanted to prove that their team is really the International”, she added in reference to the nickname given to the capital club.
Al-Nassr has won nine Saudi league titles but has never won the Asian championship, unlike rivals Al-Hilal, who won four times, and Al-Ittihad, who won it twice .