With his move to Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a significant step backwards from a sporting point of view. Although his contract with Al Nassr FC makes CR7 the highest paid footballer in the world, he can no longer build on his Champions League records. Or maybe yes?
The ‘Marca’ now carries a very particular clause in its working document at the desert club. Should Newcastle United qualify for the Premier League in the current Premier League season and be part of Europe’s elite from next year, Ronaldo will be able to join the Magpies on loan.
The reason for this possibility is that Al Nassr and Newcastle are both owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. So it might be possible for Ronaldo to improve on his existing records. The 37-year-old is the competition’s top scorer with 140 goals. His rival Lionel Messi – still in the Champions League with Paris St. Germain – is on Ronaldo’s heels with 129 goals.
