Cristiano Ronaldo's record deal with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr is apparently even bigger than has been reported, with the Portuguese star expected to earn an additional €200 million to promote Saudi Arabia's joint 2030 World Cup bid.
According to AFP, Ronaldo will receive the massive payout in addition to his club salary, which is reported to be more than $200m per year including commercial and sponsorship tie-ins.
After Qatar successfully hosted the 2022 World Cup, Saudi Arabia is said to be considering a bid to bring the tournament back to the Middle East.
"Ronaldo will be paid more than 200 million euros [$214 million] for the deal," AFP quoted a club source as saying.
"He will be an ambassador for the Saudi World Cup 2030 bid for another 200 million."
Anticipation in the Kingdom is high as fans wait for Ronaldo's debut. He is currently serving a two-match suspension imposed by the English Football Association for knocking a phone out of a fan's hand after Manchester United's defeat at Everton in April.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in December after his unceremonious exit from Manchester United. Ronaldo had criticised the club and manager Erik ten Hag in a TV interview, leading to the termination of his contract with the Premier League side.
Ronaldo's first game since moving to Saudi could be against Lionel Messi's Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly.
Ronaldo could feature in an all-star XI made up of players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal in a friendly against PSG in Riyadh on January 19.
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Cristiano Ronaldo smiles at his official unveiling by Al Nassr football club at Mrsool Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. AP -
New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his unveiling at Mrsool Park. Reuters -
New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo waves to the fans at Mrsool Park during his unveiling. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo waves to fans. Reuters -
New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo walks out on to the Mrsool Park pitch. Reuters -
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for his unveiling as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo speaks during a press conference for his official unveiling at Al Nassr. AP -
Cristiano Ronaldo with Al Nassr club president Musalli Al Muammar at the press conference at Mrsool Park Stadium. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo attends a press conference during his official unveiling. Getty -
Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia unveils new signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo at Mrsool Park Stadium. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo smiles during his official unveiling. AP -
Saudi club Al Nassr's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his unveiling at Mrsool Park, Riyadh. Reuters -
Al Nassr's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo with club president Musalli Al Muammar. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo during his unveiling as an Al Nassr player after his record deal with the Saudi club, which is said to be worth $200m a year. Reuters -
President of Al Nassr football club Musalli Al Muammar, centre, arrives at the Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh on Tuesday. AFP -
A man sells Cristiano Ronaldo flags and scarves ahead of his unveiling as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday. Reuters -
Vendors sell flags with Cristiano Ronaldo's number seven ahead of his official unveiling as a new Al Nassr palyer in Riyadh. AP -
A vehicle drives past a billboard welcoming Saudi football club Al Nassr's new signing - Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo - in Riyadh. AFP -
A billboard welcoming Cristiano Ronaldo in Riyadh. AFP -
Al Nassr club's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo after his arrival in Riyadh late on Monday night. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez after their arrival in Riyadh. AFP
