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November 30, 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to retire at Al Nassr in two or three years due to a lack of European prospects and Saudi Arabia’s high wages. His arrival is indicative of the Saudi Pro League’s increasing popularity with veteran players looking for higher paychecks...
Cristiano Ronaldo remains being one of the most famous player in football and he has recently stated that he might retire from football at his current club, Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, in two or three years. This is an important note from what he had already said about ending his career in Europe. Unlike what happens many times when someone enters a casino and decides to test his luck without thinking much, this decision has in fact been driven by a number of factors, from the lack of interest coming from European clubs, to the lucrative financial incentives of Saudi Arabian football.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Goal machine:
Ronaldo's European success included record-breaking runs with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. But he's nearing 40 and the pressures of European football, which are focused on youth, have made it hard for him to go back. While he has performed well over the years, the biggest clubs in Europe continue to spend heavily on youth, which makes it difficult for the veteran to gain major minutes. This has essentially paved the way for Ronaldo's less likely return to European football nowadays.
🚨🇸🇦 Cristiano Ronaldo: "I don't know if I will retire soon, in two or three years... but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr".
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 27, 2024
"I'm very happy at this club, I feel good in this country too".
"I'm happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue", told NOW. pic.twitter.com/0UzCI9NtZy
Financial factors have influenced Ronaldo's decision to stay in Saudi Arabia. At Al Nassr, he is said to earn about $213 million a year, which European teams cannot rival.
This large income includes not only his salary as a player but also the royalties from image rights and commercials. Saudi Arabian clubs provide the highest pay rates in the world, making them an attractive destination for players at the end of their careers.
Cristiano Ronaldo is happy with his time and his lifestyle in Saudi Arabia after having joined Al Nassr in December 2022. He has adapted to the culture and the profession and has made his mark on the team's success. Ronaldo also helped to make the Saudi Pro League popular and globally recognized, which made the league more competitive.
Ronaldo's transfer to Saudi Arabia is not just about football. He is also an ambassador for the country's ambitions — including the 2030 World Cup bid. His global reach supports Saudi Arabia's goal of establishing itself as a global sports and entertainment center. It's a very different kind of job for him, one that integrates his sporting career with wider cultural and promotional work.
Cristiano Ronaldo's exit from Al Nassr was the result of an entanglement: a lack of opportunities in European football, Saudi Arabia's unprecedented financial incentives and his successful melding into a new culture and industry. At his age, Ronaldo continues to deliver great performances both on and off the pitch, and cements his position as one of football’s best all-time icons.
This strategic choice underscores the changing face of international football, with young leagues increasingly trying to lure the best talent with attractive salaries and ambitious plans.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on December 2, against Al Sadd for the AFC Champions League. You can watch Al Nassr vs Al Sadd, Crystal Palace vs Newcastle, Barcelona vs Las Palmas, Man United vs Everton, West Ham vs Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich, all matches provided from our football live game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Nassr vs Al Sadd kick-off time (02-12-2024):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 01:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 22:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 20:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 19:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 18:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 15:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 14:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 11:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / foxports.com / sportskeeda.com
