Cristiano Ronaldo Smashes Sports Pay Records with Al Nassr Contract
It almost sounds unreal, but Cristiano Ronaldo has just shattered the sports salary record books. Al Nassr made it official on June 26, 2025: Ronaldo, at 40 years old, isn't easing his foot off the gas. Instead, he’s staying in Riyadh until 2027 under a contract so big it turns heads everywhere. Trickling out moments after the announcement, Ronaldo's social post summed up the energy: "A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together."
This new deal is about more than just length—a two-year extension—but is the richest contract professional sports has ever seen. Every day Ronaldo steps onto the pitch, he pulls in $670,000, which quickly adds up to $4.67 million a week. If you stretch that across the year, his basic salary alone lands at $245 million. If you're trying to picture that sum, it's about four times the average team payroll in most European football leagues.
Unpacking the Unprecedented: Salary, Stakes, and Superstar Incentives
The numbers don't stop at his weekly paycheck. Al Nassr is putting its money—and a piece of its future—where its mouth is. Ronaldo scores a 15% ownership stake in the club, a portion worth $45 million today, ensuring his influence goes beyond the field. Al Nassr is also sweetening the pot with a signing bonus that already sits at $34 million and could climb to a jaw-dropping $52 million, provided Ronaldo sees out the terms.
The incentive perks are flashy enough to make even other superstar athletes jealous:
- $110,000 for every goal he knocks in
- $55,000 per assist, with that figure jumping by 20% in his second year
- $11 million if Al Nassr clinches the Saudi Pro League
- $5.5 million if he's top scorer
- $9 million for leading them to an AFC Champions League Elite title
Ronaldo has only been with Al Nassr since January 2023, following his high-profile departure from Manchester United. But even with relentless rumors swirling about moves to other big-name clubs, Al Nassr never let up. The club’s sporting director, Fernando Hierro, reportedly fought off serious international competition to make sure the five-time Ballon d’Or winner stayed right where he is. He’s not just a player now—he’s a business partner and a club icon.
Seeing a 40-year-old command this type of salary and stake leaves little doubt: age isn’t slowing Ronaldo or the splash he makes in football or business. He’s redefining what elite footballers can negotiate for, and in many ways, what value truly looks like at the top of global sport.