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Journalism of Courage
Al-Nassr, on Friday, rubbished claims that former club president Musalli Al-Muammar said that he felt “cheated” by Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to EFE news agency, club’s press adviser, Walid Al-Muhaidib, said: “The talk in the Spanish press that we cheated on the Ronaldo deal, based on the Arabia News 50 website, is false and incorrect. The press came up with his joke and thought it was true.”
This was after Al-Muammar was reportedly quoted as saying: “I have only been cheated twice in my life, the first time when I asked for three kebabs they gave me only two, the second time when I signed Cristiano Ronaldo.”
According to Spanish newspaper El Desmarque, Al-Muammar had made the comments in an interview with Arabic News 50.
But the Al Nassr’s press adviser categorically pointed out that there is no such production as Arabia News 50, and the quotes were made up in jest which was then picked up by the press.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner who starred for Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United, signed a deal to June 2025 with Al Nassr, apparently after rejecting offers from Europe, North America and beyond.
Media reports have claimed the Portugal star could be earning up to $200 million a year from the deal, which would make him the highest-paid soccer player in history.
Al Nassr president Musalli Almuammar would not confirm the figures in Ronaldo’s two-and-a-half-year contract but said the 37-year-old deserves to be the highest paid player on the planet.
(With AP inputs)
