Cristiano Ronaldo 'set to sign £175m contract' with Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr this year: report

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to sign a £175 million-a-year contract with Saudi footballing heavyweights Al-Nassr by the end of 2022, Spanish media reported on Tuesday. 

The Portuguese forward left Manchester United this November after a controversial interview with British talk show host Piers Morgan in which Ronaldo criticised the English football club and said he had "no respect" for manager Erik ten Hag. 

The 37-year-old - who is currently in Dubai after Portugal crashed out of the Qatar World Cup - is widely rumoured to agree to play for the Riyadh-based club until 2025. 

"Talks began at the same time as his departure from Manchester United and the World Cup provided a logical break for talks to take place in," reporter Marca. 

"The move is expected to take place in 2022," the Spanish website said. 

🇵🇹🙏🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/JojzIfF3F4

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 4, 2022

Al-Nassr is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, having clinched the Saudi Super Cup in 2019 and 2020. 

Internationally, the club has struggled to perform on the global stage, losing to Ronaldo's former club Real Madrid in their only Club World Cup appearance. 

However, the Portuguese signing is expected to change not only Al-Nassr's fortunes but also raise the sporting prowess of the Gulf kingdom, according to Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal. 

"Anything is possible, I would love to see Ronald play in the Saudi league," said Prince Abdulaziz to the BBC. 

"It would benefit the league, the sports eco-system in Saudi and it will inspire the youth for the future. He’s a role model to a lot of kids and has a big fan base." 

Ronaldo's offer from the Saudi team is reportedly for two-and-a-half seasons with a payment of £175 million per season, plus advertising agreements. 

The expected signing comes after a disappointing World Cup for the football star, who was benched after a row with Portugal's manager over substitutions and later saw his team kicked out of the tournament by Morocco. 

Saudi Arabia's public wealth fund, last year, purchased Newcastle United, a move that was widely seen as an attempt to increase their predominance in global sport. They are also expected to pursue a bid to host the World Cup in 2030.