The truth about Ronaldo's move to the American league and the reasons for his absence from Al-Nassr
Amidst ongoing speculation surrounding the future of the Portuguese football legend, sports journalist Raul Orlandi has put an end to rumors linking Al-Nassr's captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, with a move to Major League Soccer (MLS). His comments highlighted the significant gap between the financial realities of American clubs and the Portuguese star's demands.
Financial obstacles are preventing the deal
During his appearance on the "In the Goal" program with journalist Batal Al-Qaws on Al-Arabiya channel, Orlandi confirmed that his sources within Major League Soccer (MLS) have completely ruled out the possibility of Ronaldo joining the league at this time. The primary reason lies in the astronomical salary the "Madeira Rocket" receives with Al-Nassr, which far exceeds the salary cap in place in the United States. The journalist indicated that the only possible solution to bridge the gap might require a complex financial arrangement, including granting Ronaldo shares and stakes in the potential American club as compensation for a reduction in his cash salary—a strategy previously used with international stars to attract them to MLS.
Crisis within the walls of "Al-Alami"
Domestically, Ronaldo is experiencing a period of tension with his club's management, which was clearly demonstrated by his absence from the team's last two matches against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad in the Roshan League. Reports indicate that this absence was not due to purely technical or physical reasons, but rather a clear message of protest from "CR7" regarding the club's transfer policy during the winter window.
Contract gap with Al-Hilal
The Portuguese national team captain believes the recruitment committee was unfair in its distribution of support, showing a clear bias towards their traditional rival, Al-Hilal. Ronaldo based his stance on statistics, noting that Al-Hilal made seven major signings, significantly strengthening their squad during the winter transfer window, while Al-Nassr only made two. Ronaldo considers this insufficient to compete for domestic and continental titles, prompting him to express his anger by refusing to participate.
Ronaldo's impact on the Saudi sports project
It is worth noting that Cristiano Ronaldo's joining Al-Nassr in January 2023 marked a historic turning point for Saudi sports, opening the door for an influx of elite global stars to the Saudi Professional League. Therefore, any talk of his departure or dissatisfaction attracts widespread international attention, given his prominent role in the Kingdom's ambitious sporting project, and any tension in his relationship with the club casts a shadow over the entire sporting landscape.
