Contract Details
Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, signed a two-year contract extension with Al-Nassr on June 26, 2025, committing to the Saudi Pro League club until June 2027. The deal, finalized under sporting director Fernando Hierro, will see the 40-year-old earn £488,000 per day, totaling £178m annually (£3.4m weekly). This surpasses his previous £160m-a-year contract, set to expire in June 2025, making him the highest-paid athlete globally. Ronaldo rejected offers from European and MLS clubs, including those competing in the expanded Club World Cup, to remain with Al-Nassr, where he’s been since January 2023.
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr Impact
Since joining from Manchester United for £160m, Ronaldo has scored 93 goals and provided 23 assists in 105 appearances across all competitions, leading the Saudi Pro League in goals for two consecutive seasons (35 in 2022/23, 25 in 2023/24). Despite Al-Nassr finishing third in 2024/25, 13 points behind champions Al-Ittihad, Ronaldo’s 3.1 shots on target per game and 1.02 goals per 90 minutes have been pivotal. His cryptic social media post, “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written,” sparked exit rumors, but he clarified his commitment to Al-Nassr, aiming to win the league title under Stefano Pioli.
Decision to Stay
Ronaldo’s decision to stay followed talks with Hierro, who prioritized retaining the Portuguese star despite interest from Inter Miami, Bayern Munich, and PSG. His 213 Portugal caps and 901 career goals, including 10 in the Club World Cup (one behind Lionel Messi’s record), made him a target for the US tournament. However, Ronaldo, who lives in a £12m Riyadh mansion, chose Al-Nassr’s stability and his role as captain, rejecting a potential reunion with Messi. His family, settled in Saudi Arabia, and endorsement deals (£50m annually) influenced his choice.
Future Prospects
Ronaldo’s extension positions him to play until age 42, targeting 1,000 career goals (currently 901). Al-Nassr’s next Saudi Pro League season begins August 22, 2025, against Al-Fayha, with Ronaldo aiming to outscore Al-Hilal’s Wesley Teixeira (22 goals in 2024/25). Fans on X praise his “insane” £488k daily wage but debate his longevity, with some predicting a 2027 MLS move. Al-Nassr, bolstered by new signings like Wesley Fofana, aim for the AFC Champions League and Club World Cup 2027, where Ronaldo could face Messi again. His leadership will be crucial as Al-Nassr chase their first league title since 2019.
