Ronaldo Suggests Term with Saudi Club May Be Drawing to a Close, Implies Value of $550 Million Deal
Portuguese Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo Clinches Second Consecutive Golden Boot in Saudi Pro League
In a finale for Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 25th goal of the season, securing the Golden Boot award for the second consecutive year in the Saudi Pro League. This win marks his seventh time being the top goal scorer in a league.
While Ronaldo's future in Saudi Arabia remains unclear, a social media post hints at a possible departure. With a combined 940 million followers on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, Ronaldo shared a picture of himself in his Al-Nassr jersey, accompanied by the caption: "This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Thanks to all."
Throughout his time with the Saudi club, Ronaldo has not only made a significant impact on the field but also bolstered his financials. He has earned an estimated $550 million in salary from Al-Nassr over the past 2.5 years, supplementing his already lucrative off-field earnings. Ronaldo has banked at least $100 million for eight consecutive years, a streak set to continue through 2025, even if he chooses to retire.
According to Sportico, since his professional debut with Sporting Lisbon in 2002, Ronaldo has amassed $1.83 billion in earnings through the end of 2024, accounting for inflation ($2.23 billion). This total ranks third all-time among athletes, following Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. Last year, he topped Sportico's highest-paid athletes list, earning $260 million, including endorsements, royalties, and appearances. He remains a sought-after endorser, working with brands such as Nike, Herbalife, Altice, and Binance.
Ronaldo signed with Al-Nassr in December 2022, following the termination of his contract with Manchester United. His contract with Al-Nassr expires in June. In his tenure with the Saudi club, Ronaldo scored 99 goals in 105 games. Overall, the 40-year-old has scored 936 goals for club and country, captured the Euro 2016 title, and won the Ballon d'Or award five times.
Speculation around Ronaldo's future is rife, with potential destinations ranging from Brazil to Mexico. Reports suggest that he may join Al Hilal, Al-Nassr's Saudi rivals, although such a move could be contentious. It remains uncertain whether Ronaldo will depart from Al-Nassr, extend his contract, or remain in Saudi Arabia. His choice may be influenced by his desire to participate in the Club World Cup, set to take place between June 1 and 10, during an extraordinary transfer window.
Additional reports indicate that Al-Nassr has offered Ronaldo a contract extension with a substantial salary reduction, which may not be favorable to the star player. As the Club World Cup approaches, the world awaits news of Cristiano Ronaldo's next competitive opportunity.
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- Cristiano Ronaldo's lucrative earnings from Al-Nassr, along with his off-field endorsements with brands like Nike and Binance, have boosted his personal finance and wealth-management portfolio.
- Ronaldo's estimated $100 million annual earnings for eight consecutive years, supplemented by his $550 million salary from Al-Nassr, places him among the wealthiest athletes in the world.
- Although Ronaldo is a football legend, his contributions extend beyond the field to various European leagues, including his significant impact in the Saudi Pro League.
- Despite the uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future with Al-Nassr, his endorsements and personal finance income are expected to continue through 2025, even if he decides to retire or move to another club.
- As the soccer world eagerly awaits news about Ronaldo's future, reports suggest his choice could be influenced by the opportunity to participate in the Club World Cup and potential financial incentives offered by other clubs, particularly within European leagues.