Cristiano Ronaldo has committed his future to Al-Nassr for the next two years in a deal worth a stunning £492million, but Emmanuel Petit has slammed the move and claimed it shows he has fallen away from the top level
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Emmanuel Petit has taken aim at Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the Manchester United legend is “done at the highest level” after signing a new deal with Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo’s future was up in the air this summer after he teased “this chapter is over” at the end of the last Saudi Pro League season, leading to speculation he could link up with rivals Al-Hilal.
But the 40-year-old quickly ended speculation over his future by putting pen to paper with the Middle East outfit over a new deal that will reportedly earn him around £492million.
That makes him the top-earning athlete in the world and Ronaldo has shown he has no plans to slow down or retire in the immediate future – having helped Portugal win the Nations League last month.
He has also continued to plunder an impressive amount of goals after netting 35 times in 41 games last season. However, Petit – who won the Premier League with Arsenal in 1998 – believes that Ronaldo will not return to the top level in Europe after committing his future to Al-Nassr.
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“Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he is done at the highest level with his new Saudi deal, but he confirmed that when he left Manchester United,” Petit told Escapist Magazine.
“Having said that, no one could have matched the crazy money he is being paid, but at 40 he is still playing well and performing for the national team.
“I expect to see him at the World Cup next year but I’m not shocked he is staying in Saudi, no one could’ve matched those terms. They are crazy.”
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr at the end of 2022 after an accrimonious departure from Manchester United, who he accused of “betraying” him by forcing him out of the club.
The veteran star will go down as one of the greatest players to have played the game after netting a career total of 956 goals and he is now chasing 1,000.
Ronaldo still appears to be hungrier than ever after signing another deal with Al-Nassr. When his new contract was announced, he wrote: “A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together.”
He said he received offers to play elsewhere this summer before ultimately committing his future to the Middle East, signing until 2027.
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