Sarah Stier – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Former Manchester United forward
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly received a three-year, $225 million
contract offer from Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr as he attempts to
find a new club while representing Portugal at the 2022 FIFA World
Cup.
CBS Sports’ James Benge and Ben Jacobs
reported Saturday that Al Nassr reached out to Ronaldo
over the summer, but the club’s interest is now “stronger than
ever” while awaiting word on whether the five-time Ballon d’Or
winner is willing to leave European competition.
Manchester United announced Tuesday
it’d reached a mutual agreement with Ronaldo to terminate his
contract immediately, making him a free agent eligible to sign with
any club well ahead of the January transfer window.
The decision came after an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored (via James Robson of the Associated Press) where the club legend suggested it
was time for the sides to go their separate ways.
“Maybe it’s good for Manchester and
probably is good for me as well to have a new chapter,” he said. “Probably. But I don’t know. If I will be back, I will be the
same Cristiano. But I hope people will be on my side and let me shine
like I did at all the clubs and all years.”
He also stated United manager Erik ten
Hag doesn’t “respect [me] the way I should deserve.”
Ronaldo previously sought an exit from
Old Trafford over the summer but aimed to land with a club that could
allow him to play in the UEFA Champions League, but that didn’t come
to fruition.
While he’ll hope his performance with
Portugal in Qatar will lead to interest and offers from top European
clubs, that’s not a guarantee at this stage of his career.
If not, the 37-year-old superstar will
have to decide whether to take the $75 million annually to play
outside of the European spotlight.
Portugal opened the marquee
international tournament with a 3-2 win over Ghana on Thursday, which
featured a goal from Ronaldo on a penalty kick to make him the first
men’s player in history to score at five different World Cups.
It puts the Seleção in a strong
position to advance from Group H, which means their run in the event
figures to last for at least two more weeks and lessens the pressure for the forward to make a decision soon about his next club.
Next up for Ronaldo and Co. is a clash
with Uruguay on Monday.
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