Revealed: New particulars emerge of Cristiano Ronaldo’s new Saudi mega-contract, together with half possession of Al-Nassr, with deal confirming his place as world’s highest-paid athlete

New details have emerged over Cristiano Ronaldo‘s reported contract extension at Al-Nassr, with the football legend set to confirm his status as the highest paid footballer in the world.

Ronaldo is reportedly set to be handed a new contract by the Saudi Pro League club worth over £167.9million (€200m), which will extend his deal for a further year.

The 39-year-old superstar joined Gulf state outfit Al-Nassr in a blockbuster move in January 2023 on the heels of his acrimonious departure from Manchester United.

The Portugal international received a staggering contract which sees him make around £164m per season for his on-pitch contributions, with another £49m of his salary coming from ventures off the field.

Ronaldo has appeared in videos promoting the country’s National Day and taken sponsored trips to a number of Saudi’s burgeoning tourist hotspots, and has been spotted front row at multiple high-profile boxing matches in Riyadh.

Spanish newspaper Marca report that Al-Nassr are set to reward Ronaldo’s influence on the club by granting the start part ownership as part of his contract.

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to ink a deal which will keep him at Al-Nassr until June 2026

Ronaldo moved to the Saudi Pro League side in January 2023 after exiting Manchester United

The 39-year-old has been full of praise for the Saudi top division since his move two years ago

Ronaldo has reportedly been offered the chance to take a five per cent stake in the Saudi Pro League side.

The offer reportedly comes with Al-Nassr undergoing structural changes, with a new president and chief executive set to be appointed in the coming months.

Al-Nassr are one of four teams owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has a 75 per cent stake in the club, as well as rivals Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal. 

The Saudi Pro League’s capture of Ronaldo helped kickstart a talent drive from the division which has seen stars including Neymar Jr, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante tempted from European football by the untold riches available in the Kingdom. 

And as per Saudi outlet ‘Al Khabar’, via AS, Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia is set to continue into his fifth decade. 

The former Real Madrid star is thought to be on the brink of extending his contract – which is due to expire at the end of the season – to prolong his stay at Al-Nassr – in a deal which will see him earn £3.19m (€3.8m) per week. 

Divided down further, it sees him earn £419,800 (€500,000) a day – and a staggering £291 per minute.  

Ronaldo has enjoyed a prolific spelling Riyadh, netting 75 goals in the 84 games he has played for his side. 

The former Real Madrid and Man United superstar is still hungry for the league title as his side is set to miss out for the third season in a row to either of their rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad

Ronaldo has reportedly asked Al-Nassr to sign his former team-mate Casemiro (right)

But part of his impetus to stay at the club could be his desire to win major honours. 

The forward has only won one trophy – the 2023 Arab Club Championship – with Al-Nassr, missing out on two title tilts to Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal respectively. 

This season, Al-Nassr sits someway behind both of those title-chasing clubs in third place, with just 28 points. 

Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad are level on 37 points, with the former ahead on goal difference.   

Last month saw Ronaldo again talk up his division at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, comparing it favourably to a top European league in comments that hinted at his continued commitment to Al-Nassr. 

‘Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course,’ Ronaldo said. ‘All France only has PSG. The rest are finished. Try to sprint in 38, 39, 40 degree weather and see…’

‘It is difficult to become champion in Saudi. This year Al-Hilal are better, Al-Ittihad are top of the league, but I believe that we have to push hard to be champions.

‘I’ve been champion everywhere I have (played) and I believe I will be champion, but I’ve won this trophy for scoring so many goals and assists and maintaining my level.’