Done deal! Cristiano Ronaldo shuts down transfer rumors, signs two-year contract extension at Saudi club | Football News

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Al Nassr has introduced a two-year contract extension with Cristiano Ronaldo that can maintain him at the Saudi Arabian club till 2027. The announcement got here on Thursday after months of uncertainty about his future.The 40-year-old star confirmed his dedication in a video launched by the group the place he said: “Al Nassr forever.”Ronaldo’s arrival in 2023 sparked a pattern, main many established gamers within the latter levels of their careers to maneuver to Saudi Arabia.There was hypothesis about Ronaldo’s future when he posted “This chapter is over” after Al Nassr completed third within the Saudi Pro League with out profitable any trophies.“Ronaldo’s presence is a key factor in developing the Saudi league in the last two years and a half. He opens the door for elite and young players to come to Saudi Arabia,” stated a supply from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to AFP.The Saudi PIF, which manages the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, oversees a number of Pro League golf equipment together with Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli.The information of Ronaldo’s extension follows Brazilian star Neymar’s departure from Al Hilal in January. Neymar’s transient 18-month stint noticed him play solely seven matches whereas incomes a reported $104 million yearly.Despite being the league’s prime scorer with 25 objectives, Ronaldo has but to safe any Saudi or continental titles with Al Nassr. The group not too long ago misplaced within the Asian Champions League semi-finals.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had beforehand talked about the potential of ending his profession with Al Nassr, a group widespread amongst Saudi royals.Saudi Arabia has remodeled its soccer panorama by investing closely in European expertise, starting with Ronaldo’s transfer in late 2022. The nation can be set to host the 2034 World Cup.Saudi soccer fans have loved watching prestigious gamers like Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who collectively maintain six Ballons d’Or, throughout common league matches.Some observers have drawn parallels between the Saudi Pro League and the Chinese Super League, which beforehand attracted gamers with excessive salaries earlier than dealing with monetary difficulties.The Saudi Pro League’s improvement aligns with the nation’s broader objectives of turning into a tourism and enterprise vacation spot earlier than world oil demand decreases.Ronaldo initially joined Al Nassr two years in the past in a deal reportedly price $250 million, marking a major shift in his profession path to Saudi Arabian soccer.