I don’t know what to think about Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo recently shocked everyone by signing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

There have been all sorts of astronomical numbers thrown around, but sources told ESPN the deal is likely worth $75 million per year over the course of 2.5 years. That’s plenty of money for Georgina to use to buy Cristiano new cars (by the way, that absolutely has to be Georgina using Cristiano’s money to buy gifts for Cristiano, right?)

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A post shared by Georgina Rodríguez (@georginagio)

Additional speculation rumored the inclusion of a “Champions League clause” if Newcastle qualified for the competition. There were also whispers of a potential add-on for Ronaldo to become an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid, which just happens to be in direct competition with Ronaldo’s native Portugal, by the way.

Whatever the deal actually includes or doesn’t include, this is an absurd amount of money for a player who was likely passed on by clubs in every major European league, and, by my count, has more-or-less quit on four teams in the last five years (almost one per year).

We still don’t know what exactly contributed to his exit from Real Madrid. There was plenty said in 2018 about his desire to leave Spain after a high-profile tax crimes case, or his feelings about the Blancos’ attempts to sign Neymar. He ultimately chalked it up to a difference of feeling between him and club president Florentino Perez, but it is highly likely that his decision to leave had nothing to do with anything but his own ego and opinions about himself.

Ronaldo’s Juventus departure three years later was seemingly more amicable, but he still had a year left on his contract when he decided to force his way out after several early Champions League eliminations. In fairness, COVID-19 implications, especially in Italy, probably didn’t help matters.

He then returned to Manchester United. The prodigal son reunited with the club that made him a world-known name, ready to return it to greatness. Only, this prodigal son had a major falling out with his family (the club) and then turned around and blamed it all on that family in an internationally televised interview with Piers Morgan. Ouch.

And then there’s what happened in the recent World Cup. A clear distraction to the Portuguese squad after United cut him during the tournament, Ronaldo was benched, and you know what? Portugal looked and played better with Ronaldo on the sidelines. So there’s that.

Now, Ronaldo is an outcast after joining the Saudi league, albeit a very wealthy one, and quite frankly, I don’t know what to think about it. Obviously, the move makes tons of financial sense for him. He’s just signed what is likely the largest contract in the history of professional sports in terms of annual value. 

However, the move also rips apart his legacy, especially in the context of the Ronaldo v. Messi debate that has raged on for years. The last month has really put the issue to bed. While Ronaldo was feuding with club and country, Messi led Argentina to a World Cup title and is set to extend his stay at Paris Saint-Germain, one of Europe’s biggest teams. GOAT stuff, especially at his age.

I will admit that both players have now become the faces of extremely elaborate sportswashing campaigns undertaken by foreign governments. They are both connected to the Saudi World Cup bid, which Ronaldo is likely to become the face of after signing with Al-Nassr, and Messi is one of the faces of Qatari-owned PSG (conveniently enough for Qatar, Messi also became the face of its World Cup). Points lost for Ronaldo, but probably also for Messi.

Nonetheless, Ronaldo now faces an uphill battle to maintain his standing in the market. Transfermarkt lists his value at just over $21 million, the lowest it’s been since 2005. Additionally, he has left Europe, seemingly for good, to play in a league that very few outside of Saudi Arabia know much about or watch. I know I won’t be going out of my way to find Al-Nassr matches.

On top of that, his international career is likely over, or at least heading in that direction. I’m not sure he has a way back with Portugal after his antics at the World Cup. In both his club and international careers, Cristiano is on a steep decline.

It is certainly remarkable to watch such a renowned figure undergo this monumental sort of collapse. He has lost his way with team after team, and now his games will take place in relative obscurity. At least he has Georgina’s gifts to look forward to.

Follow Nick Hedges on Twitter @nicktrimshedges or Instagram @nicktrimshedges