Football legend signs eye-watering new deal worth £173m-a-year as he chases 1,000 goals and plots one last World Cup shot to eclipse Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo has signed an astonishing new contract with Al Nassr that will see him earn a mind-boggling £450 MILLION and keep playing professional football until he’s 42 years old.
The Portuguese superstar, 40, ended months of speculation by putting pen to paper on a two-year extension that cements his status as the highest-paid athlete in the history of sport.
His jaw-dropping new deal – worth an estimated £173 million per year – means the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be raking in an incredible £3.3 million every WEEK, or a staggering £475,000 per DAY.
‘Same passion, same dream’
Taking to social media to announce the blockbuster deal, Ronaldo posted a series of photos holding up a jersey emblazoned with “RONALDO 2027” alongside Al Nassr chairman Abdullah Al-Majed.
“A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together,” the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend declared on X, formerly Twitter.
The announcement ends weeks of feverish speculation after Ronaldo posted a cryptic message following Al Nassr’s final match of last season: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written.”
Breaking every record in the book
According to Forbes, Ronaldo’s total earnings are now around £220 million ($275 million) per year – making him the first athlete in history to top their highest-paid list five times.
To put his astronomical wages in perspective:
- He earns £14.2 million per MONTH
- That’s £506,000 per DAY
- £21,000 per HOUR
- £350 per MINUTE
- Or an incredible £6 per SECOND
His £220 million annual haul is the third-highest one-year earnings ever recorded by an athlete, trailing only boxing legend Floyd Mayweather’s earnings from his mega-fights with Manny Pacquiao (£240m) and Conor McGregor (£228m).
The Messi mission
But insiders reveal money isn’t the main motivation for Ronaldo’s decision to extend his Saudi stay. The Portugal captain is reportedly “obsessed” with two final career goals that would cement his legacy as the greatest of all time.
First, he wants to become the first footballer in history to score 1,000 career goals. Currently on 938 goals (794 for clubs and 138 for Portugal), he needs just 62 more to reach the magical milestone.
More importantly, sources close to the player say he’s desperate to lead Portugal to World Cup glory in 2026 – the one major trophy that has eluded him and the only thing rival Lionel Messi has that he doesn’t.
“He’s very focused on ending his career having scored 1,000 goals,” a source revealed. But what Ronaldo feels he needs to do to cement his legacy, prove once and for all that he is as good, if not better than Messi, is to win the World Cup.
Saudi spending spree
Ronaldo’s arrival in Saudi Arabia in December 2022 triggered a football revolution in the desert kingdom, with the oil-rich nation splashing billions to attract Europe’s biggest stars.
His former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema followed him to the Saudi Pro League, along with stars like Neymar (who reportedly earned £83m per year before leaving), N’Golo Kanté, and Roberto Firmino.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, has been the driving force behind the spending spree as the nation prepares to host the 2034 World Cup.
He opens the door for elite and young players to come to Saudi Arabia,” a PIF source told reporters, highlighting Ronaldo’s role as the face of Saudi football’s ambitious project.
Still got it at 40
Despite turning 40 in February, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. He was the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer last season with 25 goals and recently led Portugal to Nations League glory, beating Spain in the final.
The fitness fanatic, famous for his incredible physical condition, believes playing in Saudi Arabia will keep him in peak shape for one last World Cup assault at age 41.
“The conditions will be perfect in the United States,” he reportedly told confidants about the 2026 World Cup. “It’s hot and will suit the way Portugal play.”
Trophy drought continues
While Ronaldo’s bank balance continues to swell, his trophy cabinet at Al Nassr remains surprisingly bare. Despite his goalscoring heroics, the club finished third in the league last season and missed out on Asian Champions League qualification.
His only silverware in Saudi Arabia so far has been the Arab Club Champions Cup – a far cry from the 35 major trophies he won at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
But with guarantees from Saudi chiefs that Al Nassr will strengthen their squad this summer – with Ronaldo reportedly having final say on transfers – the Portuguese icon believes domestic glory is finally within reach.
From Manchester misery to Saudi splendour
Ronaldo’s Saudi adventure began after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United following THAT explosive interview with Piers Morgan, where he claimed the club had “betrayed” him and criticised manager Erik ten Hag.
What seemed like a career low has transformed into the most lucrative chapter of his legendary career. His previous highest salary was £53 million per year at Juventus – less than a third of what he now earns in Riyadh.
Living like a king
Life in Saudi Arabia has been good to the Ronaldo clan. The family reportedly lives in a luxurious compound in Riyadh worth £40 million, complete with two swimming pools, a massive gym, and a football pitch for his children.
Partner Georgina Rodriguez has been spotted shopping in the kingdom’s luxury malls, while their children attend elite international schools.
The Saudi authorities have also bent over backwards to accommodate their superstar, with reports suggesting special allowances have been made for the unmarried couple to live together – something usually forbidden under Saudi law.
The bottom line
As Ronaldo embarks on what will surely be the final chapter of his glittering career, the numbers are simply staggering:
- Total contract value: £450 million over 2.5 years
- Weekly wage: £3.3 million
- Forbes ranking: World’s highest-paid athlete (3 years running)
- Career goals: 938 and counting
- Age when contract expires: 42
Whether he achieves his dream of 1,000 goals and World Cup glory remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain – Cristiano Ronaldo will be the richest footballer to ever lace up a pair of boots.
Not bad for a kid from Madeira who used to share a room with his siblings and clean the streets to help his family make ends meet. The boy who became a king – and is now getting paid like one.
Image credit: Photo by Mohammad Hossein Movahedi Nejad, taken on 19 September 2023 during the AFC Champions League Group Stage match Persepolis F.C. vs Al‑Nassr in Tehran. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Image page: View on Wikimedia Commons – “Cristiano Ronaldo Al‑Nassr 2023”
