Saudi Arabia: Cristiano Ronaldo will be formally introduced Al Nassr following the signing of a contract that extends until 2025 and is reportedly worth more than $213 million. But the riches and fanfare that await the 37-year-old in Saudi Arabia are at odds with his reduced status as a fallen star trading on past heroics.

It is a terrible indictment of Ronaldo’s lacklustre play over the previous 18 months that he is being forced to play out what will undoubtedly be the final chapter of his illustrious career in the football deserts of Saudi Arabia.

Can’t wait to get started! ?? pic.twitter.com/Zow3eQ3S44

— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) December 31, 2022

Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, departs for the Gulf after a trying year that saw him benched by Manchester United and demoted to Portugal. Ronaldo’s second spell with United came to an end in November 2022 when he left on good terms, shortly after blasting manager Erik ten Hag and the club management in a fiery television interview.

Ronaldo was linked to a number of Champions League contenders as his relationship with United worsened, including Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Napoli. It was also suggested that he would play for Sporting Lisbon again, and there were rumours of his joining Inter Miami, a team owned in part by David Beckham, a former teammate at United.

But none of those agreements developed, and when United decided his diminishing price and public shows of disapproval made him an expensive luxury they no longer required, it was instructive to observe the lack of a rush to sign the ageing legend.

Ronaldo’s unsuccessful attempt to ultimately win the World Cup highlighted his descent to the ranks of football’s common mortals as it coincided with his contentious United exit.

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