CRISTIANO RONALDO has become world’s highest paid athlete after joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese superstar – who has been a free agent since his Manchester United contract was ripped up last month – will earn £173MILLION a year in the Middle East after penning a two-year deal.
instagram.com/cristiano/Ronaldo pictured with his new Al Nassr shirt[/caption]
ReutersCristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United earlier this month[/caption]
The 37-year-old has spent his career playing for Sporting Lisbon, United, Real Madrid and Juventus before joining the Red Devils again last year.
But this season he fell out of favour with United boss Erik Ten Hag, who disciplined Ronaldo after he refused to come off the bench in a win over Tottenham earlier this season.
And it is now the Saudi Arabian league for CR7.
Football
Al Nassr are sitting second in the Saudi Premier League this season
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Who are Al Nassr?
Al Nassr are a Saudi Arabian football club who play their games Saudi Pro League (SPL).
They were founded in 1955 and are one of Saudi Arabia’s most successful football teams, winning nine league titles, three Crown Prince’s Cups, three Federation Cups and two Saudi Super Cups.
They are managed by ex-Lyon manager Rudi Garcia, who has also managed Roma and Lille previously.
Al Nassr play their home games at Mrsool Park, which holds a capacity of 25,000 fans.
The club have also been previously managed by World Cup winning captain with Italy – Fabio Cannavaro.
Last season, Al Nassr finished third in the SPL, but they were knocked out of the King Cup and the AFC Champions League by Al-Hilal.
And this season, the nine-time Saudi champs are sitting second in the league, three points behind Al-Shabab.
One notable footballer who plays for Al Nassr is ex-Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, who joined in the summer.