“Cristiano Ronaldo is the only foreign player who deserves his salary”

Prince Abdullah bin Mossad, former Minister of Sports of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo is the only star deserving of his salary in the league. The 40-year-old is one of the highest-paid players in world football, having joined Al-Nasr in January 2023.

Bin Mossad, who was the oil-rich nation's sports minister from 2014 to 2017, has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo is the only foreign star who deserves a big salary. In an interview with Al-Arabiya, the former government official pointed out that the Portuguese international has benefited the league with his mere presence.

“Ronaldo is the only foreign player who deserves his salary thanks to the international reputation he brings to the league and the country,” he said (via the team).

Cristiano Ronaldo left Europe for Saudi Arabia after falling out with Manchester United and mutually canceling his contract at the end of 2022. The Portuguese big man has been in the Gulf nation ever since, representing arguably the biggest sporting move the country has achieved in its history.

Ronaldo signed a new two-year deal with the Knights of Najd in the summer after reaching the end of his initial 30-month deal with the club. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United man earns $4 million a week, an amount that translates to around $211 million a year and $422 million over the length of the contract.

The Saudi Pro League is home to several of Europe's top players including Karim BenzemaJoao Felix, Sadio Mane and several others. Neymar He was also previously on the books of Al-Hilal before he opted to return to his native Brazil in January.

Cristiano Ronaldo escapes 2026 FIFA World Cup ban

Cristiano Ronaldo has avoided a ban for the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a deliberation by FIFA's disciplinary committee. The 40-year-old was expected to face a ban for violent conduct following his red card this month for Portugal.

Portugal lost 2-0 to the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup qualifier, with Ronaldo receiving a red card for elbowing Dara O'Shea. The Al-Nassr man was suspended for the next match against Armenia, which his side won 9-1, and faced the possibility of missing the first two games of the World Cup next summer.

FIFA decided not to hand down the full punishment, ruling that Ronaldo receives a three-match ban, the last two of which will be postponed. The ruling also states that the duration of the postponed matches will be one year, meaning that the 40-year-old player will serve the sanction if he receives another expulsion next year.