Al-Nassr market value increased to €80m after Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival - Reports

Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr’s market value has increased to €80 million after signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi Arabian outlet Al-Madrij al-Nasrawi has reported.

On December 30, Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Nassr broke the internet by announcing Ronaldo’s signing. The Portuguese, who became a free agent after seeing his Manchester United contract terminated by mutual consent, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Al-Nassr (June 2025). According to the BBC, Ronaldo will earn nearly €200 million (€199.71 million) a year at Al-Nassr, making him the highest-paid athlete across sports.

Ronaldo, who will turn 38 in February 2023, is seemingly past his prime. However, according to Al-Madrij al-Nasrawi, which is the one-stop-shop for all things Al-Nassr, the Portuguese superstar has given the club’s valuation a tangible boost. It has been claimed that the club's value increased to €80 million after the five-time UEFA Champions League winner’s arrival.

An improved market valuation is not the only thing Al-Nassr have enjoyed following Ronaldo’s transfer.

Since announcing the Real Madrid legend’s transfer, fans have started flocking Al-Nassr’s Instagram page. Al-Nassr’s official Instagram account has gained over five million followers since Ronaldo’s arrival. Al-Nassr’s follower count on Instagram has shot up from 800,000 to a whopping 6.2 million.

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Rio Ferdinand defends Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr move

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has come to his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo’s defence amid criticism over his Al-Nassr transfer. Ferdinand criticised those who are calling the transfer a sad end to Ronaldo’s career, insisting that the Saudi league is not one to be scoffed at.

Ferdinand said (via The Mirror):

“I’ve looked at people commenting and a few pundits saying it’s a sad way for him to go out. The only sadness is the way it ended at Manchester United. I think in hindsight in a couple of years he’ll look back and think it could have been handled differently. But this next chapter, going to Saudi. How is that a sad way to end his career? I don’t understand how people are saying that.”

As Ferdinand pointed out, Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United was indeed bitter. After being benched and showing acts of defiance, Ronaldo gave an explosive interview to British presenter Piers Morgan, criticising the club’s owners as well as manager Erik ten Hag. That effectively sealed his fate at the club.

Cristiano Ronaldo played 16 games for the Red Devils in the 2022-23 season across competitions, scoring only thrice.