Cristiano Ronaldo's $310 million contract clause backs Saudi Arabia's bid to host FIFA World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo's $300 million mega-deal with Saudi club Al Nassr comes with it an option that could see the deal more than double in value.
A source has told AFP the football megastar will earn an extra $310 million to promote Saudi Arabia's joint 2030 FIFA World Cup bid with Greece and Egypt, which would push the 37-year-old's Saudi earnings past the $600 million mark.
Ronaldo arrived in Riyadh last week, where he was unveiled to thousands of Al Nassr fans. He is expected to make his debut for the club on January 22.
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The deal was reportedly backed by senior Saudi royals who support Al Nassr, and funded by the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Cristiano Ronaldo smiles as he is unveiled as an Al Nassr last week. Getty
The PIF also funded the Saudi takeover of EPL club Newcastle United, and is also bankrolling LIV Golf.
One of the key figures in the deal was the nation's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also known as 'MBS'.
"MBS (and his brothers) Naif, Turki and Rakan, the sons of King Salman, are all honorary members of Al Nassr since before their father even became the crown prince," a source told the AFP.
"They wanted to grant their beloved club supremacy and put it in the international spotlight. The best way was to bring the best player in the world.
"Al Nassr and the other Saudi clubs don't have this huge fund for such a big deal. It's PIF that secured the payment."
Ronaldo and his family at his unveiling. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Ima
Al Nassr is known as the International by locals.
Another source said it was the prince's own family who suggested the deal and did a large chunk of the legwork.
"It's MBS's brothers who suggested and sought to seal the deal at any price," they said.
"They are all Al Nassr fans and they wanted to prove their team really is the International."
The PIF also has fingers in the Formula 1 pie through its oil company Aramco, which are a major sponsor of not only the sport, but also the Aston Martin team.
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