Ronaldo, who tonight will play in the round of 16 in the World Cup with his Portugal against Switzerland, left Manchester United at the beginning of the World Cup after a schism with the club.

According to Madrid-based sports newspaper Marca, 37-year-old Ronaldo has agreed terms with Al Nassr on a 2.5-year contract starting January 1.

It will make the superstar the highest paid sportsman in the world.

- It is an era that is coming to an end.

Ronaldo will disappear from international football if he goes there.

That's also the track we've had for a long time, it's the money that controls top football in total.

It doesn't matter where the money comes from, as long as it comes in, whether it's club purchases or player signings, says Johannesson about the transfer, which is not confirmed.

- It feels incredibly tone deaf from Ronaldo in this situation with all the discussions that have been going on towards this championship.

It cannot have gone unnoticed, but I am not surprised if I say so, continues Johannesson, who regrets the development.

"I'm honestly sad"

- The feeling this World Cup has given cannot be bought with money: You play for your country and people, look at the Japanese team and all the tears and how Messi thanks the Argentine crowd.

It's football for me, everything else is just pretend and I honestly feel sad about it.

The Al Nassr club is owned by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who also owns Newcastle, where Swedes Alexander Isak and Emil Krafth play.

This spring, Argentina's big star Lionel Messi became an ambassador for tourism in Saudi Arabia, where the country is fishing for the soccer World Cup in 2030. According to Sportsmanor, Messi receives a little over 300 million kroner per year for that deal.

In addition, Messi has just over SEK 400 million in annual salary for his club, Qatar-owned Paris SG.

Tonight, Portugal will face Switzerland in the round of 16 - with or without Ronaldo on the pitch.

- They talked about benching Ronaldo because he didn't deliver, so voices are starting to be raised, not for what happens off the pitch but what happens on the pitch, says Johannesson.