Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled by his new club Al Nassr on Tuesday as the 37-year-old put an end to his trophy-laden European journey for the new experience. Moreover, the deal which he has penned at the Saudi side, a €200m-per-year until the summer of 2025 has made Ronaldo the highest paid athlete in the history of sports. The former Manchester United forward was presented in front of the thousands of Al Nassr fans who had gathered to witness the historic moment at the club’s home turf Mrsool Park.
Cristiano Ronaldo did admit that it was a time for a new experience after winning it all in Europe during the first official press conference as an Al Nassr player. However, there are rumours that he still hasn’t closed the doors on a return to Europe, with a clause in his lucrative Al Nassr deal allowing him to join the rising giants of the Premier League, Newcastle United if they achieve Champions League football next season.
Fabrizio Romano disputes ‘European clause’ in Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract
Cristiano Ronaldo always wanted to leave Manchester United before his unfortunate contract termination as he wanted to continue to play in the Champions League which the club missed out on after finishing outside of the top four last season. The Portugal captain tried everything to seal a move to a Champions League club last summer, however to no avail.
As a result, it was for the first time in his career that the five-time Champions League winner had to feature in the Europa League with United. However, fast forward six months, Ronaldo had his contract terminated by the club for slamming them in an interview with Piers Morgan and the striker was free to join a Champions League playing club. But he chose the Al Nassr move, rejecting offers from Europe, America and Australia as revealed by himself.
The ‘Newcastle clause’ made the headlines just days after Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr, as MARCA claimed the forward can join the Magpies on loan if they qualify for Champions League next season, due to their Saudi connection. Newcastle United is now owned by Saudi Public Investment Fund after their richest takeover of €340m in 2021. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano however disputed the claims as he revealed in his column for CaughtOffside:
“I’m aware of Sporting Kansas City, Al Hilal and Al Nassr proposals, but of course if he said that I guess there was something else! No one close to Ronaldo wants to confirm the clause for European clubs or Newcastle, so at the moment there’s no confirmation.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe too has denied the reports over such a clause as he told the press ahead of his side’s clash against Arsenal:
“We wish Cristiano all the best in his new venture but there’s no truth in that from our perspective.”
This should put an end to those rumours claiming Cristiano Ronaldo could once again play in the Champions League, this time with Newcastle United. The Magpies comfortably sit third in the Premier League and look set to play European football for next season, most probably the top-tier Champions League. However, with no truth in that Ronaldo rumours, it should be safe to say that Cristiano Ronaldo is there to stay at Al Nassr at least until the summer of 2025.