Despite being made available at a massive discount of £80k per week, Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly received rejection from a number of European teams.
The 37-year-old forward, who had signed a £175 million contract with Al Nassr before traveling to Saudi Arabia, was formally introduced as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday.
Ronaldo initially advocated for a Manchester United exit in order to participate in Champions League football once more last summer, but he ultimately chose to sign in the Middle East for a very different opportunity.
According to The Athletic, Ronaldo was reportedly made available to multiple undisclosed European and Champions League sides for just £80,000 per week before he moved to Saudi Arabia.
According to the same claim, his old team Manchester United was willing to pay the rest of his substantial salary to clear the way for a bargain departure.
After his spectacular two-part Piers Morgan interview, it appears that nothing materialized, and he and United ultimately mutually terminated his contract.
The claims that Ronaldo‘s representatives have spoken directly to any teams during this controversy have been consistently refuted.
And the Portugal international admitted that, before choosing to join his new club, he had “several possibilities” to play for clubs in Europe and South America.
Ronaldo stated:
‘I had many opportunities in Europe and many clubs in Brazil, Australia, USA and even in Portugal, many clubs tried to sign me. But I gave my word to this club.
‘I know what I want, and I know what I don’t want. For me, it’s a good challenge to change and to help with my knowledge and experience to grow many important points here.
‘I want to give a different vision of the country, of the football. This is why I took this opportunity.’
Additionally, Ronaldo is said to have parted ways with longtime agent Jorge Mendes over a disagreement on an interview.
Mendes advised Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford and focus on making a name for himself on the field, according to The Athletic, which also claimed that Mendes was not involved in the move to Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo’s relationship with Mendes, which spanned two decades, had been deteriorating for some time, and his personal manager Ricky Regufe arranged for him to join Al-Nassr.
Fans of Al-Nassr may not have to wait long to see their new acquisition in action either; if he is considered healthy enough to play, Ronaldo may make his debut on Thursday against Al Ta’ee.
Given Ronaldo’s recent lack of playing time, manager Rudi Garcia may have a difficult decision to make. Since Portugal was eliminated from the World Cup by Morocco on December 10, the former Manchester United attacker has not played.
