After his absence from the Club World Cup, it was an open secret that Cristiano Ronaldo would continue at Al-Nassr. The Portuguese star has signed a new contract that ties him to the Saudi club at least until 2027. He is doing so with the intention of surpassing 1,000 goals as a professional, to keep making history and arrive in the best possible condition at the next World Cup with Portugal.
New project at Al-Nassr
Since his arrival at Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo has become the footballer with the highest salary in history. He will keep that status with this new agreement, continuing with the same salary conditions until 2027. For each season he spends at the Saudi team, the Portuguese will keep earning €200 million tax-free. This means that, for these two extra years, he will add another €400 million to his accounts.
Although things have gone very well for him financially, the same can't be said for the sporting side. He has twice been the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League and once the best footballer. However, this hasn't been enough for Al-Nassr to win any titles, which remains its unfinished business.
Cristiano Ronaldo demands changes
To accept his continuity at Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has been clear and forceful: major changes are needed. One took place before he signed, with coach Stefano Pioli leaving. However, Cristiano Ronaldo's main request has been another, removing a legend of Real Madrid from his position in Arabia.
We're talking about Fernando Hierro, Al-Nassr's sporting director, who will be the next to leave his position. Reports from Saudi Arabia indicate that Cristiano Ronaldo is not at all happy with his work at the club, believing he hasn't made the best possible planning.
Hierro will leave his position at Al-Nassr and a top-level replacement will be sought. Al-Nassr plans to open its wallet. First, it will hire a new sporting director, and then it will go after a coach, with Sérgio Conceiçao and Jorge Jesús among those being considered. There will also be changes in the squad, with departures of footballers like Laporte or Mané.
Ronaldo will see much of the locker room change. Madrid-Barcelona has learned that Al-Nassr is very interested in Andreas Christensen from Barça. The plan is to strengthen the defensive line and also the attack, where the major signing, Jhon Durán, hasn't performed as desired.