Here is more on the contract, per José Félix Díaz of Marca: “in addition to the hefty signing-on fee (just under 100 million euros) is accompanied by financial incentives via advertising, which will make the Portuguese the highest-paid sportsman in the world.”
Their report also says Ronaldo will make about 200 million Euro per season, or $210 million.
Al Nassr will reportedly grant the superstar some off-the-pitch power too, as part of the deal.
What would you honestly get in return on that investment?
He would be on the wrong side of 40 after this potential deal runs its course.
At this point, he’s not even someone who should be starting on his national team, and it’s quite clear, from this World Cup that Bruno Fernandes is a much better player than he is.
However, the Saudi Pro League desperately wants the marketing and branding power of a player with over 506 million followers on Instagram.
The Saudi Arabian top flight needs attention badly, and star power is what makes that happen. Al Nassr knows that, and it’s all part of the grand plan to make a pitch towards hosting the 2030 World Cup.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.