Cristiano Ronaldo should get the big hello: A "welcome ceremony for the world's best player" is planned at the Saudi club Al-Nassr. However, there are rumors that the world football star could soon be gone again.
It's only been a few hours since Cristiano Ronaldo landed in Saudi Arabia. The "Welcome Ceremony for the World's Best Player" is still pending and will be hosted by his new employer Al-Nassr this Tuesday evening. Tens of thousands of fans are expected when the Portuguese soccer superstar is officially unveiled. But there are already rumors that could put a damper on it.
According to a report in the Spanish newspaper "Marca", the 37-year-old's contract contains a clause that could ensure that his commitment to Al-Nassr could only be short-lived. Because this clause is supposed to allow Ronaldo to be able to play the Champions League again. However, only for a specific club.
Namely for the Premier League club Newcastle United. According to the report, should the "magpies" make it into the premier class, Ronaldo may switch back to England. His guest performance in Saudi Arabia would then last just half a year.
Newcastle United has belonged to a Saudi consortium since October 2021, behind which is 80 percent of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. The club went to investors for around 350 million euros, and the takeover caused a lot of criticism last year. Since then, the then table-19. also improved sportily with the help of many millions of euros.
Newcastle are currently third in the table behind Arsenal and Manchester City. The first four places in the Premier League allow participation in the European premier class.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr following weeks of rumors after an inglorious departure from Manchester United. He didn't want to be satisfied with his reserve role in Erik ten Hag's team. The Portuguese is now playing in a country that is being internationally criticized for human rights violations. According to media reports, the aging world star should receive around 200 million euros per season in Saudi Arabia, including advertising revenue. He has signed for two and a half years.
The Champions League and Ronaldo - that's a success story. He has won the trophy five times, once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid. With 183 appearances, he is a record player in the premier class, and 140 goals also make him the record goalscorer.
