Unprecedented Salary Package for Football Legend
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40 years old, has agreed to stay with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr until 2027. According to reports, his new contract includes an annual salary of around 208 million euros. This means Ronaldo will earn approximately 17 million euros every month and more than 4 million euros each week, making this one of the most expensive sports contracts in history.
Massive Signing Bonus and Performance Rewards
Alongside his huge yearly pay, Ronaldo will receive a signing bonus starting at nearly 29 million euros. This amount could increase to over 44 million euros if he decides to continue into the contract’s second year. In addition, there are extra financial rewards for achievements such as winning the league title, which could bring him nearly 9.4 million euros, and qualifying for the Asian Champions League, worth about 7.6 million euros.
A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together.
Christiano Ronaldo, Instagram
Payment for Goals and Assists
Ronaldo’s earnings are not limited to just his salary and bonuses. For every goal he scores, he will receive close to 94,000 euros. Assists will also bring him extra income of about 47,000 euros each. These payments will increase by 20 percent if Ronaldo continues playing under the contract for a second year. In the most recent season, he scored 35 goals and made 4 assists in 41 matches.
Luxuries Included in the Deal
Beyond the financial side, Ronaldo’s contract includes several luxury benefits. Among these is access to his own private jet, highlighting the level of comfort and convenience provided to the football star as part of his stay in Saudi Arabia. This deal shows how Saudi Arabia is willing to offer not only large sums of money but also other perks to keep top players on their teams.
How Saudi Arabia Can Afford This Deal and Why They Do It
Saudi Arabia can invest such large amounts of money—like in Cristiano Ronaldo's contract—because of its enormous wealth from oil and gas. But it’s not just about money. There is a clear strategy behind these investments.
1. Where the Money Comes From
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s biggest oil producers. Through its state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco, the country earns hundreds of billions of euros each year. This money is managed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF)—a government-controlled fund worth over 700 billion euros.
This fund is used to invest in:
International companies (like Uber, Disney)
Real estate
Technology
Sports
Entertainment
2. Why They Spend Big on Sports
Saudi Arabia is spending billions on football, golf, and other sports for several reasons:
A. Improve Image (Soft Power)
By bringing global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi Arabia wants to show a more modern and attractive image to the world. This helps shift attention away from political criticism and human rights concerns.
B. Diversify the Economy (Vision 2030)
The Saudi government knows oil will not last forever. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman created a plan called Vision 2030 to make the economy less dependent on oil. That includes investing in:
Tourism
Sports
Culture
Green energy
Bringing in big names and hosting major events (like the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which Saudi Arabia is expected to host) is part of this plan.
C. Attract Tourists and Investors
Superstars and major sports events bring global attention. This can attract more tourists, create jobs, and encourage companies to invest in Saudi Arabia.
D. Entertain Local Population
Most of Saudi Arabia’s population is under 35 years old. The government wants to give young people more entertainment options and improve life inside the country. This also helps calm social pressure and reduce unrest.
3. What’s the Risk?
Spending big brings attention and influence—but it also carries risk:
If oil prices fall, income drops.
Sportswashing criticism: Some say Saudi Arabia is using sports to hide human rights issues.
Uncertain long-term success: It's not clear yet if the tourism and sports industries will grow enough to replace oil income in the future.
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