How Cristiano Ronaldo has caused $280 million debt crisis for Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly the biggest star to ever play in Saudi Arabia, but he has come at a huge cost for Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2023, following a controversial exit from Manchester United. His arrival marked a huge shift in football, as several big names followed him to the Saudi League.

However, landing Ronaldo did not come cheap for Al-Nassr, and the long-term ramifications of landing the iconic #7 have played a part in their current financial peril.

Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo’s $625 million salary has plunged Al-Nassr into financial crisis

Since joining Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo has earned an eye-watering $625 million in wages from the team across the last three and a half years.

However, during this period, Ronaldo has only led the team to one Saudi League title, far from the return on investment Al-Nassr officials wanted.

Now, years later, Al-Nassr find themselves in a massive financial crisis, with liabilities worth $280 million now weighing them down.

While Ronaldo’s huge wages have surely played a part in this, his lack of success with the team has also failed to justify this exorbitant spending by the team.

The Saudi League’s prize pool for the league winners is estimated to be about $1.3 million, which is not nearly enough to offset the amount of money they pay Ronaldo.

On top of that, they have recruited other big-name players like Sadio Mane, Inigo Martinez, and Joao Felix, who also command big wages.

Al-Nassr’s lack of success has made them an unattractive investment prospect, which limits their ability to bring in more money.

Cristiano Ronaldo might have to look for a new team if financial situation doesn’t improve

It is unfair to suggest that Cristiano Ronaldo is solely responsible for the team’s financial struggles, even with his astronomical wages.

His name, presence, and image rights allow Al-Nassr to profit massively through jersey sales, ticket sales, and other promotional tactics.

But if Al-Nassr’s financial woes are as severe as reported, they might struggle to keep hold of Cristiano Ronaldo in the long run.

Ronaldo’s presence in Saudi Arabia is paramount to the financial success of this league, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if authorities intervene to provide financial assistance to the league.