• Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo watches from the stand as his team take on At Ta'ee at the Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh on Friday, January 6, 2023. AFP
    Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo watches from the stand as his team take on At Ta'ee at the Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh on Friday, January 6, 2023. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo in the stands during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ta'ee in Riyadh on Friday. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo in the stands during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ta'ee in Riyadh on Friday. Reuters
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledges fans at Mrsool Park in Riyadh. Reuters
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledges fans at Mrsool Park in Riyadh. Reuters
  • Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh. AFP
    Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the Mrsool Park Stadium in Riyadh. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo poses with fans in Riyadh on Friday. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo poses with fans in Riyadh on Friday. AP
  • Al Nassr players before the match against Ta'ee. AP
    Al Nassr players before the match against Ta'ee. AP
  • Al Nassr fands watch the game on Friday despite heavy rain. AP
    Al Nassr fands watch the game on Friday despite heavy rain. AP
  • An Al Nassr fan poses showing a shirt with Cristiano Ronaldo's name on it in Riyadh. Reuters
    An Al Nassr fan poses showing a shirt with Cristiano Ronaldo's name on it in Riyadh. Reuters
  • Fans watched Friday's game amid heavy rain and cold. Reuters
    Fans watched Friday's game amid heavy rain and cold. Reuters
  • An Al Nassr fan poses with a Cristiano Ronaldo's jersey. Reuters
    An Al Nassr fan poses with a Cristiano Ronaldo's jersey. Reuters
  • Al Nassr fans sit during heavy rain at Mrsool Park in Riyadh. AP
    Al Nassr fans sit during heavy rain at Mrsool Park in Riyadh. AP
  • Saudi fans watched Friday's game in heavy rain. AP
    Saudi fans watched Friday's game in heavy rain. AP

Sport

Football

Cristiano Ronaldo deal 'does not entail commitments to any World Cup bids': Al Nassr

'His main focus is on Al Nassr and to work with his teammates to help the club achieve success'

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings

January 11, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Cristiano Ronaldo's contract at new club Al Nassr does not "entail commitments to any World Cup bids", the Saudi club has said.

It was reported on Monday that the Portuguese star was expected to earn an additional €200 million on top of his already lucrative playing contract to promote Saudi Arabia's joint 2030 World Cup bid.

However, the Saudi Pro League leaders on Tuesday denied the claim and said that Ronaldo's focus was on helping the club achieve its goals.

"Al Nassr FC would like to clarify that contrary to news reports, Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with Al Nassr does not entail commitments to any World Cup bids. His main focus is on Al Nassr and to work with his teammates to help the club achieve success," a club statement said.

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr on a two-and-a-half year contract this month on a reported salary worth in excess of $200 million 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 Monday.

"He will be an ambassador for the Saudi World Cup 2030 bid for another 200 million."

Ronaldo is currently serving a two-match ban carried over from his previous club Manchester United, who he parted ways with in November after criticising officials and manager Erik ten Hag in a television interview.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus striker could potentially play his first match in a high-profile friendly against old adversary Lionel Messi and his team Paris Saint-Germain in Riyadh on January 19.

  • 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
    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 during his unveiling at Mrsool Park. Reuters
  • New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo waves to the fans at Mrsool Park during his unveiling. Reuters
    New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo waves to the fans at Mrsool Park during his unveiling. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo waves to fans. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo waves to fans. Reuters
  • New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo walks out on to the Mrsool Park pitch. 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
    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 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 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
    Cristiano Ronaldo attends a press conference during his official unveiling. Getty
  • Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia unveils new signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
    Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia unveils new signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo at Mrsool Park Stadium. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo at Mrsool Park Stadium. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo smiles during his official unveiling. AP
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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
    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
    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
    Cristiano Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez after their arrival in Riyadh. AFP
MATCH INFO

Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)

Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no

Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)

Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22

Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

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While you're here
ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes. 
Where to stay 
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.

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Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

US households add $601bn of debt in 2019

American households borrowed another $601 billion (Dh2.2bn) in 2019, the largest yearly gain since 2007, just before the global financial crisis, according to February data from the New York Federal Reserve Bank.

Fuelled by rising mortgage debt as homebuyers continued to take advantage of low interest rates, the increase last year brought total household debt to a record high, surpassing the previous peak reached in 2008 just before the market crash, according to the report.

Following the 22nd straight quarter of growth, American household debt swelled to $14.15 trillion by the end of 2019, the New York Fed said in its quarterly report.

In the final three months of the year, new home loans jumped to their highest volume since the fourth quarter of 2005, while credit cards and auto loans also added to the increase.

The bad debt load is taking its toll on some households, and the New York Fed warned that more and more credit card borrowers — particularly young people — were falling behind on their payments.

"Younger borrowers, who are disproportionately likely to have credit cards and student loans as their primary form of debt, struggle more than others with on-time repayment," New York Fed researchers said.

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

88 Video's most popular rentals

Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.  

Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.

Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Cinco in numbers

Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

46

The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

1,000

The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]

50

How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday

3,000

The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

1.1 million

The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

FA Cup fifth round draw

Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Reading/Cardiff City v Sheffield United
Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town/Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United/Oxford United
Leicester City v Coventry City/Birmingham City
Northampton Town/Derby County v Manchester United
Southampton/Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Arsenal 

The Indo-Pacific

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Power: 400hp

Torque: 560Nm

Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000

On sale: now

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Day 3 stumps

New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)

Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining

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500 People from Gaza enter France

115 Special programme for artists

25   Evacuation of injured and sick

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg

Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight (Wednesday), BeIN Sports

Updated: January 23, 2023, 12:11 PM
Cristiano RonaldoSaudi ArabiaAl Nassr FC