Just over two weeks ago, Cristiano Ronaldo signed a 75 million euros-a-year deal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr F.C. The money itself crosses 200 million a year once endorsements come into play and, the deal is 2 and a half years long, heading into mid-2025, by which Ronaldo is over 41. The contract states Ronaldo will be the brand ambassador for the Saudi pursuit of hosting the 2030 World Cup, which would make it the second world cup to be hosted in the middle east and only the first to involve 3 continents (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece).
As a Messi fan, I have always been at odds with Ronaldo. In my eyes, he will never surpass the brilliance of Lionel Messi. However, even the most fanatic Messi fan recognizes that what Ronaldo has accomplished is historic and genuinely one of a kind. Had Messi never been scouted by Barcelona, the GOAT debate might have existed due to his brilliance. To put his accomplishments into perspective, take a look:
- Most official goals in history (819)
- 2nd most Ballon D'ors in history (5)
- Tied for most Club World Cup Trophies (4)
- Real Madrid's highest scorer (371)
- Tied for 2nd with most UCL titles (5)
- Euro 2016 Winner
These are just a few accomplishments of one of the all-time greats, a man who will go down in history. However, recent years have not been kind to him. In the past year, he lost his newborn child, Erik Ten Haag benched him in Man United; an explosive interview with Piers Morgan ended his stint in Man U just before the World Cup; arguments with the Portugal manager meant that he came off the bench in their gut-wrenching defeat against Morocco, ending what was most likely his final pursuit of Football's most coveted trophy. It is hard to see an all-time great be reduced to mere tears as he was after their defeat.
What transpired after is very interesting but also hard to understand. In an interview years ago, Ronaldo made a boastful claim "I want to retire with dignity, not in Qatar or the USA." He has gone back on this very statement and has almost officially ended his European club career. So, what really made him move?
Was it the money? Was it the promise of making him an ambassador for the 2030 bid? Or was it really developing soccer in Saudi Arabia?
I am not here to make false claims and state that I know the reason. It does seem interesting that even after offers in Europe and all around the world, he would go to Saudi Arabia of all places. According to him, he could have continued playing in Europe. Why didn't he? Surely he wanted to compete for another UCL and widen his trophy count. The man is 38 and has said that he would retire in another 2 years. Why Saudi? The move to Saudi signals an end to his top-flight career as the Saudi league is very low on the pyramid. There is one positive. If all goes well, Ronaldo can end his career with an AFC cup, something Messi could only have dreamed of winning. Jokes aside though, I wish Ronaldo all the best as he moves forward, and wish him good luck with his club.
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