Cristiano Ronaldo debuts new Al-Nassr colors after signing a whopping $310m-a-year deal

Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabia club Al Nassr on a contract worth 200 million euros ($314 million) a year until the end of the 2024/25 season.

“The greatest athlete in the world has officially signed with Al Nassr,” the club said on Friday local time in Arabic.

Ronaldo, 37, left Premier League giants Manchester United last month after a explosive TV interview in which the striker said he felt betrayed by the club and disrespected his Dutch manager Erik ten Hag.

Watch the latest sport on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>

He ended speculation of a move to Saudi Arabia during the World Cup, where Portugal were eliminated by Morocco in the quarter-finals but has now signed for Al Nassr on a free transfer.

“I’m excited about a new experience in another league and another country, the vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring,” Ronaldo said.

“I’m really looking forward to joining my teammates and helping the team be more successful.”

Ronaldo had said Qatar would likely be his last World Cup as he plans to retire at 40, with the move to Saudi Arabia likely to mark the swan song in the career of one of football’s greatest current players alongside great rival Lionel Messi will be.

“History is made,” said Al Nassr.

“This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to even greater success, but will also inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls, to be the best version of themselves.

“Welcome Cristiano to your new home at Al Nassr.”

Ronaldo made history in Qatar by becoming the first man to score in five World Cups, but his tournament ended in tears.

“Winning a World Cup with Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career,” he wrote after Portugal’s elimination.

“Unfortunately, that dream ended yesterday.”

As if bidding farewell to his time with the national team, Ronaldo added that the dream of winning the world title “was nice while it lasted” and that he “fought very hard for it”.

“I gave everything on the pitch. I never turned down the fight and never gave up on that dream,” he added.