Cristiano Ronaldo could sign seven-year deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr on Thursday – report
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Updated 23/12/2022 at 09:02 GMT
Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to sign for Al-Nassr – that is according to Spanish media outlet Marca. The 37-year-old could sign a seven-year contract as early as Thursday. The first two and a half years of the contract will be in a playing capacity. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner will then take on an ambassadorial role at the club ahead of Saudi Arabia’s hopes of hosting the 2030 World Cup.
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Cristiano Ronaldo is edging closer to signing a seven-year deal at Al-Nassr – two and a half years in a playing capacity, then continuing in an ambassadorial role – according to a report.
The Portugal international is “ready to fly” to Saudi Arabia to sign for Al-Nassr, Spanish outlet Marca claim. The Middle Eastern club have tabled an offer worth a whopping €200 million per season until 2025, when the club hope he will continue as an ambassador.
Al-Nassr are hoping that convincing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to join will help put Saudi Arabia on the footballing map ahead of their ambitious bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
Specifically, Marca add that once his playing contract has expired, he will move on to an ambassadorial role aimed at assisting Saudi Arabia secure hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup.
Marca state the deal could be confirmed on Thursday as the Saudi side are just waiting on Ronaldo to sign the contracts.
“The agreement may become official on Thursday, December 22, or shortly after, once Cristiano has decided to head to Riyadh to sign a contract that will bind him to Al Nassr and Saudi Arabia until 2030,” read the report on Marca.
The 37-year-old previously denied that he would sign for the Saudi Pro League club.
"No, that’s not true - not true," the 37-year-old told reporters in the mixed zone following Portugal's 6-1 win over Switzerland.
Ronaldo is currently a free agent after he left Manchester United by mutual consent last month.
In a statement on their website, United wrote at the time: "Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.
"The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future. Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch."
Ronaldo left United after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan where he slammed United, claiming the club had "betrayed" him, and also criticised manager Erik ten Hag.
The 37-year-old rejoined the Old Trafford club in the summer of 2021, having initially left in 2009 for Real Madrid.
However, after 24 goals in all competitions last season, he started just five Premier League matches this year under their new manager Ten Hag and was subject to disciplinary action after refusing to come on as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Tottenham in October.
The star was also left out of the United squad for the club's final game before the World Cup as they beat Fulham, just hours before the first extracts of his controversial interview were released.
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