Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he snubbed £305MILLION deal to play in Saudi Arabia – and insists other clubs DID want to sign him in the summer – as Man United star vows to continue playing until he’s 40
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he rejected an offer to play in Saudi Arabia this summer which would have made the highest paid footballer in the world.
The 37-year-old forward said he had been offered a two-year contract worth an astonishing €350million (£305m) from an unnamed club.
Spanish outlet Marca claimed that Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal had made an offer to the Manchester United superstar.
Cristiano Ronaldo rejected the chance to become the highest paid footballer in the world
Ronaldo revealed he had other offers to leave Manchester United in the summer after reports that no-one was interested in signing him.
Opening up for the first time in an extraordinary interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV about a massive offer to play in Saudi Arabia, he said admitted rumours of €350m for two seasons were true.
On Piers Morgan Uncensored: 90 Minutes with Ronaldo, he said: ‘It’s true, yes it’s true… but what the press keeping say, the garbage, is that nobody wants me, which is completely wrong. And I was happy here to be honest, I was motivated to do a great season here.
The 37-year-old forward said he had been offered a two-year contract worth an astonishing £305m during the summer
‘But they continue to repeat that nobody wants Cristiano. How they don’t want a player who scored 32 goals last year, with national team [included]?’
On turning down a potential €350m payday, he said: ‘It’s hard, it’s hard. But in the same way, I thought that I was very happy here; that I still capable to score goals.
‘I still believe that I can score many, many goals and help the team because I still believe that I’m still good and capable to help national team – even Manchester United. But if you don’t feel around you that the energy’s on your side, it’s difficult.
‘Of course, the criticism is gonna exists all the time. “Ah he’s 37, he’s not the same”. But I want to see if some guy of my age can maintain the level that I show… Yes, in this moment, I feel very, very good…. I believe that I’m going to do an amazing World…