CRISTIANO RONALDO is set to DOUBLE his £175million annual salary by promoting Saudi Arabia’s 2030 World Cup bid -taking his earnings to nearly £1m a day.
The veteran Portuguese forward signed for Al-Nassr last month after being axed by Manchester United.
Ronaldo, 37, penned an astonishing two-year, £175m-a-season contract with the Saudi Pro League side.
And that will be just the beginning of his earnings in the Middle East.
According to news agency AFP, Ronaldo will pocket a further £175m for promoting the Saudi 2030 World Cup bid.
It is unclear if this further £175m will be in one lump sum – but could see him pocket £350m in a year – just shy of £1m a week.
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Any involvement in Saudi Arabia’s attempts to host the 2030 World Cup would see the former Real Madrid star promote a rival bid to that of his own country.
Portugal, alongside Spain and Ukraine, are also preparing to try to earn hosting rights for the 2030 competition.
Spain have hosted a World Cup before, while Portugal and Ukraine are yet to receive the honour.
Saudi Arabia are bidding alongside Egypt and Greece in what would be a bumper three-continent tournament.
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A spokesperson for Ronaldo has denied that he has agreed to promote the 2030 World Cup.
Ronaldo was officially unveiled as an Al-Nassr player last week alongside partner Georgina and the kids, after flying in to Saudi Arabia on a private jet.
AFP report that Ronaldo’s arrival at Al-Nassr was backed by senior Saudi royals – including Mohammed bin Salman.
They add that MBS and his brothers are Al-Nassr supporters – and wanted to give their club global recognition.
Ronaldo was suspended for his new side’s 2-0 victory over Al-Ta’ee, but watched on from the stands.
He has been living in luxury since moving to the Middle East, staying in a super-sized “Kingdom Suite”.
Spanish paper Marca claim that Ronaldo will be given access to luxury rooms in Riyadh – as well as a private plane.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will again have to sit out of his new club’s match this weekend as he serves the second game of his suspension.
He is expected to make his Al-Nassr debut on January 22, when they take on Ettifaq.
But his first match since signing for his new team may not even be for them.
Instead he is expected be part of a team made up of stars from Al-Nassr and fellow Saudi side Al-Hilal in an exhibition game.
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They are set to take on Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly on January 19th.
Messi, 35, penned a £25m a year deal to promote Saudi Arabia last May.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
