Cristiano Ronaldo ‘fooled’ by £173m contract in Saudi Arabia – Rivaldo

Former Brazil international, Rivaldo has said Cristiano Ronaldo could have been “fooled” when he signed a huge deal at Al-Nassr.

The 38-year-old joined the Saudi Arabian side in January after his contract at Manchester United was terminated.

His £173 million-a-year contract spans two-and-a-half years and makes him the best-paid footballer in the world.

But Rivaldo feels the big wages offered in the Middle East mask the difficulty of the league and their way of life.

He told Mundo Deportivo: “I understand that sometimes the players are fooled by the big contract they sign in Saudi Arabia but then life there is more closed and football is not always as easy as expected.

“So, you may be going through a phase of some disappointment and even reflection. If the money you’re getting makes up for the not-so-happy life you’re living right now.

“It would be good for him and for football to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Real Madrid to finish his career.”

Ronaldo has scored 12 goals in 16 matches in all competitions for Al-Nassr.