Cristiano Ronaldo is one step away from signing a millionaires’ contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, which will earn him around €500 million in two and a half seasons – he will already be negotiating in Riyadh. But if the wedding takes place, this union could cause a major mix-up with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), as the news released yesterday in Spain indicates that the agreement with the Saudis includes him becoming an ambassador of the Arab candidacy for 2030 World Cup… the same competition for which Portugal has already submitted a project together with Spain and Ukraine. In other words, there may be a real conflict of interest.
The various sources heard by DN do not believe this scenario (becoming an ambassador for a Saudi candidacy against Portugal) is going to happen, not least because this transfer to Al Nassr comes at a time when Ronaldo is being questioned more than ever – even in the image of a good professional that he has always had and fascinated – he has his back to Jorge Mendes – a businessman and friend who, according to DN, has always had nothing to do with this company – and after the departure of Fernando Santos from the command of the selection in clear conflict with the captain.
Not only the image of CR7 playing in the Saudi league could be a strong ally of the Arabs’ candidacy (it has not yet officially progressed), as if it were verified that the Portuguese captain would show his face, this would open wounds inside the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), as this goes against Portugal’s desire to host the football World Cup for the first time.
Also, if the player agrees to play for the Saudi league without being the image of the possible candidacy for the organization of the World Cup, FIFA’s decision on the winner of the organization in the 2030 edition will be known in 2024 , the year in which Ronaldo will still play with the colors of Al Nassr if he fulfills the contract. In the agreement, which is valid until 2025, a cake of 200 million euros per season is envisaged and half (100 million) is to be paid for advertising and marketing campaigns.
The Arabs wanted to continue hosting the World Cup alongside Greece and Egypt, but FIFA rules do not allow joint proposals from different confederations, which is why Saudi Arabia is considering going ahead with another partner or alone. That’s why they recruited Lionel Messi as tourism ambassador in Saudi Arabia – curiously, Argentina (world champion) also submitted a candidacy to host the 2030 World Cup, along with Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Saudis would also have the bonus of already having infrastructure, having won the organization of the 2027 Asian Cup of Nations.
If this scenario comes true, it remains to be seen how the news will be received by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and by President Fernando Gomes in particular. For now, the FPF is not commenting on the matter. But the mere possibility that this could happen has already damaged the image of the Portuguese, Spanish and Ukrainian proposal. And what about the situation of Ronaldo in the dressing room of the national team, who said on September 21 at the FPF Quinas de Ouro Gala that he wanted to play in Euro 2024?
On November 6, DN had already raised that Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr was real and would put CR7 in a quandary over this muddle. But at the time, Ronaldo was still aiming for a great World Cup and hoping for a better offer from a sporting point of view (which did not happen), as the Saudi club’s offer is financially unbeatable and would be the biggest contract in the world. history of football. : 500 million euros for a contract of two and a half years.
The 2022 World Cup did not go well for the 37-year-old. Portugal were knocked out in the quarter-finals and Ronaldo had problems with Fernando Santos, the coach revealed in a sort of public abuse. A situation that will have changed the way Ronaldo and those who advise him have looked at the Arab proposal, the only one he has received so far. And if he said no to that same offer in the summer, he is now about to accept it, seduced by the opportunity to start playing right away.
The amount of the check you receive, if accepted, also helps. The Spanish press yesterday guaranteed that the deal was done, that the player had already traveled to Riyadh to sign and that the announcement would be made before the end of the year to allow CR7’s January 5 debut against Al-Tai the 12th round of the Saudi league. In fact, the club has already negotiated the departure of Jaloliddin Masharipov to release the number 7 shirt for Ronaldo. Or is it just pure coincidence?
Source: DN
