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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Was this the reason why we stayed in Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo (40), who plays for Al Nasr, is claimed to have a 20% stake in the club. Saudi journalist Abdulaziz Al Osim wrote on his SNS on the 1st (Korea time) that the acquisition of companies will continue in the process of privatizing clubs promoted by the Saudi government, and that `Al-Nasr is the most valuable team currently, and Ronaldo has the most stake at 20%.'
Currently, Al Nasr's largest shareholder is the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). It is followed by the Al Nasr non-profit foundation. Ronaldo is considered to have the largest stake among individual investors. PIF is a Saudi sovereign wealth fund led by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud and is actually a state-run company that reflects the will of the Saudi government. The al-Nasr non-profit foundation is also an organization led by Saudi royalty, who have served as owners. It is far from real privatisation. In the meantime, Al Nasr is also being discussed naturally as the Saudi government has recently begun to hand over its stake in each club to companies. Ronaldo seems to have acquired a stake in the club, which has been divided by PIF and Al Nasr Foundation. Al-Nasr is said to have set a policy to sell the remaining 80% of the shares held by PIF and the foundation to companies and investors.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Ronaldo agreed to renew his contract with Al Nasr in June by the summer of 2027. After the last season 'This chapter is over. The story will go on. 'Thank you all' left a post, hinting at a break with al-Nasr. Since then, various rumors have been circulating, including a short-term transfer to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and rumors of a return to Europe. But his choice was to stay. 'A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let's make history together,' he wrote, announcing a new start.
The terms and conditions for renewing the contract are beyond imagination. With an annual salary of 178 million pounds (about 328.7 billion won), a down payment and a bonus for winning the Saudi League-Asia Champions League elite, each bonus for scoring and helping, and a bonus for winning an individual title were held. It is expected to earn more than 400 billion won a year when all allowances and bonuses are combined in annual salary. In addition, three drivers, four housekeepers, two chefs, three gardeners and four bodyguards will be supported, and al-Nasr will also pay for his private jet. At that time, handing over 15% of the club's stake was also included in the renewal conditions. Including all these conditions, Ronaldo is expected to earn around 900 billion won a year in Saudi Arabia. An official from Ronaldo's side said, `Al-Nasr knows Ronaldo is the face of the Saudi league and a superstar and a person who attracts the spotlight. to make a corresponding payment..."
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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The Saudi government is attempting to privatize clubs that have been bankrupt in sports. Although it has been operating a professional league with Oil Money, it seems that it has concluded that corporate investment is inevitable for the soundness and permanence of the enlarged league. In the meantime, state-owned companies such as PIF have been trying to buy stakes in the club, but the U.S. investment company Harburg Group recently acquired a 100% stake in Al Colud, making the first acquisition of a foreign company in Saudi soccer history. Ronaldo is also expected to set a direction toward attracting foreign companies and investors by increasing his stake in Al Nasr.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
