How Ronaldo could land the 2030 World Cup for Saudi Arabia

Robin Bairner

• 1 Dec 2022 11:39 GMT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo’s next club looks likeliest to be Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League after he was released by Manchester United by mutual consent in November.

Ronaldo’s preference may be to continue at a Champions League side, but a lack of obvious options in Europe plus the incentive of a wage totalling €500 million over the course of the next two-and-a-half years in Saudi Arabia is a tempting one.

But why exactly are a team from the Saudi Pro League so intent on chasing such a player?

MORE: Who are Al-Nassr? Everything you need to know about Ronaldo’s future club

Why are Saudi Arabia trying to sign Cristiano Ronaldo?

Primarily, Ronaldo is wanted as a marketing tool for both Saudi Arabia and the league, with the ultimate aim to attract the World Cup back to the Middle East in eight years.

As CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs explains: “Saudi Tourism have tried before to sign Ronaldo. They already have Lionel Messi. The bigger picture is the Saudi Arabia could bid for the 2030 World Cup. Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said they are ‘considering’ a joint bid, though other senior government figures have downplayed his remarks.”

There have been reports that the joint bid would also involve Egypt and Greece.

Their rivals are likely to come from Morocco, who have expressed an interest in a joint bid with several different nations and a united bid from four South American countries, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile.

Meanwhile, a European bid has been launched by Spain and Portugal, which also involves Ukraine.

Al-Nassr’s stance

Al-Nassr head coach Rudi Garcia is thought to be enthusiastic over the prospect of Ronaldo joining his squad, with a strong Portuguese influence already at the club.

Officials have already travelled to Qatar to sound out a potential deal, with Jacobs reporting that they were present at Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 win over Argentina.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo appears to be keeping his options open. There is no deal signed with Al-Nassr the 37-year-old Portugal star is thought to have agreed the terms in principle and there is confidence from Saudi Arabia that a deal will be wrapped up after the World Cup concludes later in December.