Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s most famous names, has reportedly signed a staggering new contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr that could see him earn more than KSh85 billion over the course of the deal.
The reported agreement, shared by The Sun, outlines an almost surreal list of payments, bonuses, and perks. It’s a deal not only aimed at rewarding Ronaldo on the pitch, but also tying him closely to the club’s future and the wider ambitions of Saudi football.
A Salary That Turns Heads
Ronaldo will earn £178 million a year, which translates to roughly KSh30.3 billion annually or KSh578 million every week.
This makes him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world – not just in football, but across all sports.
More Than a Player
One of the most striking parts of the deal is the reported 15% ownership stake in Al-Nassr. That alone is estimated to be worth around KSh5.6 billion (£33 million).
He also receives a signing bonus of KSh4.1 billion (£24.5 million) -which increases to KSh6.5 billion (£38 million) if he chooses to stay into a second year.
Paid to Perform
Ronaldo’s on-field performances could make the deal even more valuable.
- He earns KSh13.6 million (£80,000) for every goal – rising by 20% if he plays a second season.
- Every assist nets him KSh6.8 million (£40,000), also with a 20% bump next year.
- If Al-Nassr win the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo takes home a KSh1.36 billion (£8 million) bonus.
- The Golden Boot? That’s another KSh680 million (£4 million).
- Winning the Asian Champions League adds KSh1.1 billion (£6.5 million) to his bank.
Life at the Top
Ronaldo’s deal also takes care of life off the pitch.
- KSh680 million (£4 million) worth of private jet travel is covered by the club.
- KSh10.2 billion (£60 million) in sponsorship deals are promised, mostly from Saudi and Asian companies eager to partner with the star.
- A full 16-person private staff is employed for his household, including chefs, housekeepers, gardeners, drivers, and security.
Why It Matters
This contract reflects more than Ronaldo’s star power. It highlights Saudi Arabia’s ongoing strategy to turn its football league into a global force. By attracting the biggest names in sports-and paying generously to do so -the Kingdom is aiming to shift attention, tourism, and investment eastward.
But some critics see this spending as more about politics than sport. “It’s a soft power strategy,” one Middle East analyst told The Guardian recently. “Ronaldo is more than a player -he’s part of a brand transformation.”
Ronaldo Keeps Quiet
So far, Ronaldo himself has not publicly commented on the full details of this new agreement. But during a recent interview, he said, “I’m proud to be part of a league that is growing. I want to make history here.”
Whether or not others follow his lead remains to be seen. For now, Ronaldo has cemented his place as the face of Saudi football -at a price few could have imagined.
