Rabat – Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly rejected an annual $ 6 million deal to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia.
The Telegraph broke the news, saying the football star had rejected an offer that would see his image used on promotional material for Saudi tourism.
The deal also involved Cristiano Ronaldo visiting the Gulf country once a week.
The Telegraph reported that Saudi Arabia had also contacted Barcelona legend Lionel Messi for the same deal. The Barcelona star’s stance on the Saudi proposal is not yet known, the newspaper said.
Saudi offer is in line with the country’s vision to strengthen tourism as part of its 2030 strategy
The aim of the vision is to boost the Saudi economy and improve the kingdom’s international image.
The Gulf country often receives criticism due to harsh sentences against activists and executions.
Activists and the international community have also criticized Saudi Arabia after the murder of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
This isn’t the first time Saudi Arabia has seen an offer rejected by a celebrity.
In 2019, acclaimed rapper Nicki Minaj canceled her performance at the Jeddah Word Festival in Saudi Arabia
“After much consideration, I have decided not to go ahead with my planned concert at Jeddah World Fest,” she said.
Nicki Mina said the move was due to her support for women’s rights, the LGBTQ community and free speech, for which Saudi Arabia is regularly criticized.
Read also: Nicki Minaj cancels concert in Saudi Arabia following backlash
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