Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo will not earn an additional $214 million to promote Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2030 World Cup. This was clarified by Ronaldo’s football club Al Nassr.
“Al Nassr FC would like to clarify that contrary to news
reports, Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr does not entail commitments
to any World Cup bids,” the Saudi club said in a Twitter post.
Al Nassr also added that Ronaldo’s “main focus” is on the
Saudi club and “to work with his teammates to help the club achieve success.”
Ronaldo had signed a $214 million a year contract with Al
Nassr and his contract includes commercial and sponsorship tie-ins.
Following Qatar’s successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World
Cup, Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering a bid to bring the much-loved
football tournament back to the Middle East.
Ronaldo, who joined Saudi’s Al Nassr in December following
his exit from Manchester United, is currently serving a two-match suspension
for smashing a fan’s phone from hand. Ronaldo was also faced with a $60,000
fine.
However, Ronaldo’s first game could be against Lionel
Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain on January 19.