Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious end to a fairytale homecoming at Manchester United paved the way for a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League (SPL).
Saudi Arabia had long been committed to diversifying its economy, and investing in professional sports was a key part of the ambitious plans.
They had the financial clout to make it happen. But they needed a face for the project, and Ronaldo’s fall-out with United couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Saudis made him an offer he couldn’t refuse and he has subsequently become the poster boy for the new era of football in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo Maintains His Status as the World’s Highest Paid Athlete
Ronaldo is reportedly set to sign a new mind-blowing contract with Al-Nassr that will maintain his position as the highest-paid athlete in the world.
The Portuguese football icon has been offered a one-year contract that will keep him in Riyadh until 2026. The unprecedented deal is worth £3.19 million per week.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January 2023, and his initial contract with the SPL powerhouse had already made him the highest-paid athlete in the world.
He is currently earning around £164m per season in basic salary while pocketing an additional £49m from endorsements and promotional ventures.
Ronaldo has been involved in campaign videos promoting the country’s National Day and has taken sponsored trips to a number of Saudi tourist attractions.
He has also been spotted on the front row at multiple high-profile boxing matches in Riyadh, and the club are now set to reward his influence with a new deal that somehow dwarfs his previous terms.
Al-Nassr are offering Ronaldo part ownership of the club as part of the new contract. This is a timely move as the club are in the middle of significant changes in the boardroom.
Ronaldo became the first active team sport athlete to surpass $1 billion in career earnings in 2020.
That outrageous figure has gone up since then, and it could increase dramatically in the coming months with the new contract waiting to be signed.
How Ronaldo Has Helped to Raise the SPL’s Profile
Ronaldo’s move to the SPL was a major turning point for the country as a whole. His transfer was a major talking point that brought plenty of attention to the SPL.
It paved the way for an unprecedented talent influx that included superstars such as Neymar Jr, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante.
Ronaldo’s impact extends to the Arab betting community. His rampant goalscoring form has established him as a popular pick on the best sports betting sites in the Arab world.
Online betting platforms are inundated with wagers ahead of every Al-Nassr game, and punters who back him to get on the scoresheet are all but guaranteed winning returns on every fixture.
Luring Ronaldo to the Middle East also did wonders for the SPL’s global reach, and the impact has been evident in the league’s increased broadcast revenue.
Ronaldo became the first person in the world to reach 500m followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in February 2021.
This increased to 923m by October 2024, and his massive fanbase has played a huge role in the SPL’s viewership surge. Since Ronaldo’s debut, the SPL’s broadcast reach has expanded from 40 countries to 140.
Broadcast revenue also skyrocketed by a jaw-dropping 650 percent, catapulting the league into the ranks of the world’s most-watched football competitions.
The SPL generated $120m in broadcast revenue before he arrived. That number dramatically increased to a staggering $780m last season – a testament to his global appeal.
SPL chief executive officer Omar Mugharbel recently opened up on how Ronaldo has helped raise the league’s profile, emphasising his massive influence on and off the pitch.
“There is no doubt that someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, probably one of the best players to ever play the game, has had a huge impact on and off the pitch in Saudi Arabia,” Mugharbel said.
“We believe that he has helped us accelerate our development and transformation process, opening the door for many other players to join the League, considering the Saudi League as a valid career opportunity for them.”