Ending months of speculation, Cristiano Ronaldo has extended his contract with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
He has committed to remain at the club at least until June 30, 2027. Ronaldo admittedly rejected offers from teams competing in the FIFA Club World Cup to remain at Al Nassr.
The 40-year-old forward will hope to win his first major trophy with the Saudi Arabian side in the 2026/27 season.
Cristiano Ronaldo Signs Jaw-Dropping Contract Extension with Al Nassr, Will Earn a Bumper Salary
Former Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the fittest players in football. The Portuguese’s new contract will keep him at Al Nassr beyond 42. While fans are wondering when Ronaldo will retire, CR7 is looking forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
🗣️ Cristiano Ronaldo: "I had some offers to play in the [Club] World Cup but I think it didn’t make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long as it is the World Cup season at the end of the year." pic.twitter.com/XbR6K3xjIg
— Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) June 30, 2025
The commitment he has to football is undoubtedly fueled by the love he has for the sport. But it also does not hurt that he has just snagged the most lucrative contract in sporting history.
According to The Sun, Ronaldo’s new Al Nassr contract will see him earn over £1 million every couple of days. He has also received a signing-on fee of £24.5 million. The fee will jump to £38 million if he continues at the club next season.
Ronaldo will also earn the highest-ever salary in history over the next two years. As per The Sun, he will make a whopping £178 million a year in wages or £488,000 per day. Inclusive of commercial deals, Ronaldo will make £492 million in two years. This could reportedly cross half a billion if he wins the Golden Boot (£4 million) and Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League (£8 million).
Cristiano Ronaldo Salary vs Canelo Alvarez, Max Verstappen & More
Cristiano Ronaldo will earn a salary of £178 million at Al Nassr over the next couple of years. Below, we compare his wages to the highest-paid athletes in other sports.
Canelo Alvarez – Boxing
Boxing great Canelo Alvarez signed a five-year deal with broadcasting giant DAZN in 2018. The deal was worth $365 million (£266.5 million). Canelo earned around £53 million in wages every year. He earned a salary of around £24 million every time he fought.
The Mexican boxer, however, did not get the entire amount, as he left DAZN before the end of his contract.
Shohei Ohtani – Baseball
Juan Soto of the New York Mets (2025–2039) has scored the biggest contract in the sport’s history. But his yearly wages are not the highest in the sport. Across 15 years, he will earn $765 million (£560 million), averaging around £37 million each year.
Shohei Ohtani's 102 mph pitch is the fastest by a Dodger this season. 😳 pic.twitter.com/kJtxGfP8cY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 28, 2025
Based on yearly salary, Shohei Ohtani is the highest earner in the history of baseball. Ohtani’s 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2024–2033) is worth around £512 million, taking his early salary to about £51 million.
Jayson Tatum – American Football
Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. Excluding the salary due, the deal was worth $450 million (£330 million). This is the biggest deal in NFL history, but his yearly salary is bested by Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum.
This Jayson Tatum graphic is INSANE. pic.twitter.com/ykgT2EZW9T
— CelticsUnite (@CelticsUnite18) June 28, 2025
Jayson Tatum bagged a jaw-dropping five-year deal (2025-2030) worth $314 million (£230 million). This takes his yearly salary to an NFL-high £46 million.
Max Verstappen – Formula One
Formula One reigning world champion, Max Verstappen, earns the highest salary in the sport’s history. His rival, Sir Lewis Hamilton, may have earned higher during his Mercedes peak, but his earnings remain unconfirmed.
Four-time F1 champion Verstappen signed a six-year contract with Red Bull in 2023. The deal is worth a total of $330 million (£241 million), pushing his yearly salary to £40.2 million. He has been linked with a move to Aston Martin, but he is not expected to move in 2026. If he does switch teams in 2027, we could see a big bump in his yearly wages.
