At a time when the president of the Saudi Football Association confirmed his wish for Cristiano Ronaldo to join a Saudi club, the Portuguese network "CNN" (CNN) revealed that the Manchester United striker had already received an offer from Al Hilal Club for about a quarter of a billion dollars in only two seasons.
The head of the Saudi Federation, Yasser Al-Mishal, told The Athletic that he hopes the Portuguese star will join one of the local league clubs, although he admitted that a deal of this size would not be easy for the player or the club that might sign him.
There was increased talk about the departure of Ronaldo, 37, from United during the summer transfer period due to his desire to participate in the Champions League, but the English club stressed that the Portuguese captain is not for sale.
Ronaldo rejects about a quarter of a billion dollars
The Spanish newspaper “SPORT” commented on Al-Mishal’s statements by mentioning a CNN report, which revealed that Ronaldo had rejected an offer of 242 million euros (245.5 million dollars) from the Saudi club Al Hilal, for a period of two years, which means more than two million euros per week. .
The newspaper said that Ronaldo decided not to accept Al Hilal's financial offer, giving priority to other options, as he presented himself through his agent Jorge Mendes to a variety of teams participating in the Champions League, but this did not pay off, which caused him to stay at Old Trafford. At least until the next winter transfers.
United participates in the European League after failing to be in the semi-finals of the English Premier League last season.
Al-Mashal: I love Ronaldo
Yasser Al-Mishal admitted that his wish had not yet come, saying, "This is not possible at the present time because the transfer period in Saudi Arabia is over, but we would like to see a player the size of Ronaldo in the Saudi League."
"Why not? I'm sure it will be a very expensive deal, of course, but the revenues of our clubs have been increasing over the past two years. There are many high-profile players who have previously played in the Premier League, they have moved to the Saudi League."
The president of the Saudi Federation added, "I love Cristiano Ronaldo as a player, and I would like to see him play in Saudi Arabia, but unfortunately this cannot happen before January. A deal of this size will bring tremendous positive results, everyone knows Ronaldo's achievements, and he is an idol as a player."
Ronaldo, whose contract expires at the end of the current season, participated once in the starting line-up for United in 6 league matches under the leadership of new coach Eric Ten Hag.