Leslie Massey
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time, and his move from Manchester United to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League came as a surprise to many. Before signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo revealed that he had received an offer from Australia. Australian Professional Leagues (APL) CEO Danny Townsend expressed interest in bringing Ronaldo to Australia, acknowledging the significant impact such a move would have on the sport in the country. However, Ronaldo chose Al-Nassr, a decision that has sparked some criticism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo coming to Australia | No, he joined Al-Nassr FC |
| Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with Al-Nassr | Two-and-a-half-year deal |
| Al-Nassr FC | Saudi Pro League side |
| Ronaldo's contract termination with Manchester United | November |
| Ronaldo's current age | 37 |
| Ronaldo's ranking among Aussie fans | Second most popular male football star |
| Percentage of Aussie fans who list Ronaldo as one of their favourite players | 24% |
| Percentage of Ronaldo fans aged 25-34 who feel sports organisations should invest in NFTs | 25% |
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What You'll Learn
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms he had an offer from Australia
Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has confirmed he received an offer from Australia before joining Al-Nassr. The forward had his contract with Manchester United terminated in November after publicly criticising the club. In an inflammatory interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo expressed his desire to leave United in search of UEFA Champions League football.
Australian Professional Leagues (APL) CEO Danny Townsend confirmed that the A-Leagues had been in discussions regarding a potential move for Ronaldo to Australia. Townsend acknowledged the immense talent and global recognition that Ronaldo brings to the sport, stating that signing him would be a game-changer for Australian football.
Despite the interest from Australia, Ronaldo opted to join the Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. The decision surprised many, as Ronaldo could have pursued opportunities to remain in Europe. However, the 37-year-old believes he has proven himself in European football and sees the move to Al-Nassr as a new challenge.
Ronaldo's contract with Al-Nassr is the most lucrative in sports history, guaranteeing him a millionaire status every other day. He stated that he is proud of this significant decision in his football career and feels he is back where he belongs.
While Ronaldo chose not to move to Australia, his popularity among Aussie football fans remains high. According to YouGov Profiles, Ronaldo is the second most popular male football star in Australia, just behind Argentina's Lionel Messi. About a quarter of Aussies who are fans of football players consider Ronaldo one of their favourites.
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Australian Professional Leagues (APL) CEO wanted Ronaldo in Australia
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has confirmed he received an offer from the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) before joining the Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. In November, APL CEO Danny Townsend expressed interest in bringing Ronaldo to Australia, stating that it would be a “game-changer” for the league.
Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr came as a surprise to many, as he had terminated his contract with Manchester United after publicly criticising the club. Despite his controversial departure, Ronaldo secured a lucrative contract with the Riyadh-based club, becoming a millionaire every other day.
According to Townsend, the A-Leagues had been in dialogue regarding a potential move for Ronaldo to Australia. He acknowledged Ronaldo's exceptional talent and his impact on the sport, both on and off the pitch. Townsend's enthusiasm for signing Ronaldo reflected a forward-thinking approach and a desire to elevate the league's profile.
Ronaldo's popularity in Australia is evident, as he ranks as the second most popular male football star among Aussies, just behind Argentina's Lionel Messi. Data from YouGov Profiles reveals that 24% of Aussies who are fans of football players consider Ronaldo one of their favourites. This enthusiasm for Ronaldo among Australian fans made him an even more appealing prospect for the APL.
While the APL's efforts to sign Ronaldo ultimately did not come to fruition, the league's ambition and willingness to pursue a player of Ronaldo's calibre signal a promising future for football in Australia. The APL's pursuit of Ronaldo demonstrates their recognition of his enduring popularity and the potential impact of such a renowned player on the league's growth and appeal.
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Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr FC in the Saudi Pro League
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr FC of the Saudi Pro League in January 2023. In doing so, he became the world's highest-paid athlete. He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, arriving soon after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In the 2023-24 season, Ronaldo scored 35 goals, setting a new record in the Saudi Pro League. He has scored 99 goals in 111 matches for Al-Nassr across all competitions. In June 2025, Ronaldo extended his contract with Al-Nassr by two years, saying, "A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let's make history together." At the time, he was 40 years old and had scored 93 goals in 105 appearances for the club.
Ronaldo's arrival in Saudi Arabia prompted several high-profile players based in Europe to make the switch to the Saudi Pro League. He has been vocal in his belief in the Saudi Pro League, saying in January 2024 that it was better than Ligue 1. He has also expressed his support for Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a series of programmes and developments intended to diversify the country's economy away from fossil fuels, improve its human rights reputation, and appease its growing and youthful population.
Ronaldo's decision to join Al-Nassr came as a surprise to many, as he had received an offer from Australia and proposals from several European clubs. However, he believed he had nothing left to prove in European football and saw playing in the Saudi Pro League as a genuine challenge.
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Ronaldo's second stint at Manchester United ends
Cristiano Ronaldo's second stint at Manchester United ended on November 22, 2022, when the club announced he would be leaving with "immediate effect." This came just 15 months after his return to the club, during which time he scored 24 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions.
Ronaldo's departure from Manchester United was precipitated by a controversial interview with Piers Morgan, in which he claimed he had been betrayed by senior figures at the club and expressed his lack of respect for manager Erik ten Hag. In the interview, Ronaldo stated, "I feel betrayed. I felt that some people didn't want me here not only this year, but last year too." Following these comments, United committed to taking "appropriate steps," and speculation intensified that his time at the club would soon end.
Ronaldo's second spell at Manchester United was marked by both success and controversy. On the one hand, he scored important goals, including Champions League winners, and netted his 800th and 801st career goals for club and country. On the other hand, he faced criticism for his conduct, including being caught on camera laughing during a heavy defeat to Brighton and expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of the club's training facilities.
The forward's exit from Manchester United saw him join Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. This move surprised many, as it came just a few months after Ronaldo attempted to leave United in search of UEFA Champions League football. However, Ronaldo defended his decision, stating that he had nothing left to prove in European football and that playing in the Saudi Pro League presented a genuine challenge.
While the details of Ronaldo's contract with Al-Nassr were not disclosed, it is reported to be the most lucrative contract in sports history, with the 37-year-old set to become a millionaire every other day.
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Ronaldo is the second most popular male football star in Australia
Cristiano Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, was reportedly considering a move to Australia. Australian Professional Leagues (APL) CEO Danny Townsend confirmed that the A-Leagues had been in talks with Ronaldo about a potential transfer. Townsend acknowledged the immense talent and global appeal of Ronaldo, stating that signing him would be a game-changer for Australian football.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has had a illustrious career spanning multiple top-tier leagues. He began his career with Sporting CP before signing with Manchester United in 2003, where he became a star player. During his time at United, he won three consecutive Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. After leaving United, Ronaldo went on to play for Real Madrid, Juventus, and most recently, Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
In addition to his club success, Ronaldo has had a remarkable international career with Portugal. He became the first player to score in five World Cups and holds the record for most international goals. Ronaldo's impressive goal-scoring record and individual accolades, including being named the world's best player by FIFA five times, solidify his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
While there was interest from Australian football leagues, Ronaldo ultimately chose to sign with Al-Nassr, turning down offers from several clubs, including those in the Isuzu UTE A-League. Despite not joining an Australian team, Ronaldo's popularity in Australia remains high, with many fans regarding him as one of the greatest players ever. His talent, achievements, and impact on the sport have undoubtedly contributed to his popularity not just in Australia but worldwide.
Although it is challenging to definitively rank Ronaldo's popularity among Australian fans compared to other male football stars, it is safe to say that he is held in extremely high regard. Considering his impressive career trajectory, accolades, and widespread recognition, it would be reasonable to assume that he is among the top-ranked male football stars in Australia, if not the most popular.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Cristiano Ronaldo turned down offers from teams in the Isuzu UTE A-League to join the Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
In November, Townsend said that Ronaldo is "certainly one of the greatest footballers of all time" and that bringing him to Australia would be a "game-changer".
Cristiano Ronaldo is the second most popular male football star among Aussies, with close to a quarter of Aussies listing him as one of their favourite players.
Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays for Al-Nassr FC in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been given the most lucrative contract in sports history by Al-Nassr. He is set to become a millionaire every other day in Saudi Arabia.
