Sport

Ronaldo joins Saudi club Al-Nassr FC in a world record-breaking £177m-a-year deal

A Tale of Two 'GOATs': one won the World Cup, another went to play in the Saudi Pro League.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 31st December 2022

It actually happened. Cristiano Ronaldo has officially joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr FC in a world record-breaking deal until 2025.

The ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting CP star is making his move to the Middle East, becoming one of the first global superstars to set up shop in the region.

Following the fallout from his infamous Piers Morgan interview which saw him take aim at former employers United, the manager, as well as past and present teammates, Ronaldo was only ever heading for the exit door and it seems like that was all he wanted by the end

Now, though, the Portuguese icon is set to join Al-Nassr on a two-year deal as part of an unbelievable contract worth over £174 million a year. Ridiculous.

If you’d asked football fans just a few months ago where they thought CR7, one of the most successful and popular sporting figures in history, was going to go next, we imagine not many would have said the Saudi Pro League.

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Ronaldo’s second spell at United was a turbulent one, to say the least, ending in arguably some of the most hostile circumstances we’ve seen in some time.

Angered by being named among the substitutes on a number of occasions by Erik ten Hag, the all-time club and international goalscorer insisted that he wanted to keep playing at the highest level, forcing their hand to ensure he could start games elsewhere. And now he’s playing in Saudi Arabia.

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While the footballing veteran insisted the club had blocked a move away from the club before his eventual exodus, the manner of his departure — going after his own team and colleague in such a public manner — no doubt scared off many of his previous suitors.

On the other hand, not only were Al-Nassr one of very few clubs that feasibly could still afford his immense wages but as he is entering the twilight of his career, it’s fair to say that his effectiveness has diminished in recent years.

Ronaldo will obviously score a shedload of goals over in the Gulf nation but barring a move back to Portugal for much less money, Qatari-owned PSG (not likely while Messi is still there), or a move to the MLS (also highly unlikely for much more serious reasons), this looks like the start of the end.

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Featured Image — Al-Nassr FC (via Twitter)

Sport

Tyson Fury says he hasn’t spoken to his wife in ‘three months’ whilst preparing for Usyk rematch

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tyson Fury hasn't spoke to his wife Paris for three months preparing for Usyk 2 rematch

Tyson Fury says hasn’t spoken to his wife Paris for three whole months while preparing for the much-anticipated Oleksandr Usyk rematch.

The Manc fighter is set to face the Ukrainian counterpart in the ‘Undisputed’ sequel, simply dubbed Fury vs Usyk 2, which will result in one unified heavyweight champion of the world.

Usyk’s victory over the Wythenshawe-born boxer back in May saw him take that title for the first time since 1999 (the only man to have done so in the four-belt era) but with the rematch nearly upon us, Fury could be set to steal that title away from him.

With that in mind, the pressure has clearly been on ever since he lost the first bout and, according to Tyson himself, he hasn’t spoken to his wife Paris Fury for virtually a quarter of a year as part of his immensely strict training camp.

Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the match this weekend, he claimed: “I haven’t spoke to Paris in three months – not a word. [I’ve] not spoke to anyone, I haven’t been on my phone.”

Explaining that he simply removed all distractions to get his head in the right space ahead of the title decider, ‘The Gypsy King’ has been known to isolate himself from the rest of the world before a big fight in the past, but cutting contact with your spouse of 10 years and partner for nearly two decades is wild.

The 36-year-old went on to detail that in order to give himself the best shot at winning, he couldn’t keep switching between “beast mode to dad mode to wife mode” and so on.

In separate interviews with other outlets ahead of the highly-awaited rematch, Fury has made various other big claims about what boxing fans can expect from his own performance, including an admission that he needs to be “more focused this time and not do as much showboating” in the ring.

Nevertheless, he also assured the media that he isn’t a quitter and has promised he will not just “f*** up” his 37-year-old opponent but “retire” him. Usyk, on the other hand, has warned he will be a different challenge than the last time the two faced each other, predicting a knockout victory too.

Having downed Tyson more than once the last time around, he’s understandably confident of his chances.

Bold words from the pair of them, indeed, but this is all just part and parcel of the usual pre-fight build-up; all we really know is that Usyk won the previous face-off and Fury is the one with the point to prove.

While younger brother Tommy Fury recently had to pull out of his scheduled fight against Darren Till, during which tensions seriously boiled over during the first press conference, it looks as though there is no risk of more cancellations and any more ‘will they won’t they?’ antics between these two at least.

The rematch, or ‘Fury vs Usyk 2: Undisputed’ to give use its full title (the latest in Saudi Arabia’s growing fight scene and live sports programming as part of Riyadh Season) takes place this Saturday, 21 December, with the two set to clash once again from 10:25 GMT.

Who do you think will emerge victorious from this one and, more importantly, when do you think we’ll see the third and ‘final’ fight when they inevitably demand a trilogy?…

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Featured Images — paul62_2017 (via Flickr)/Netflix (via screenshot)

Sport

A Manchester City fan has died after a medical incident at Manchester derby

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Manchester City has confirmed one of its supporters has died after a medical incident at the derby match. Credit: The Manc Group

A Manchester City fan has tragically passed away after a medical incident at the Manchester derby yesterday.

The club has confirmed that one of the club’s supporters died after collapsing during the match against Manchester United.

They wrote: “Manchester City are aware of the tragic news that one of our supporters passed away following a medical incident at yesterday’s match.

“The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

Man City and Manchester United faced off at the Etihad Stadium yesterday, with Man United eventually taking the win thanks to a 90th-minute goal by Amad Diallo.

An eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News they saw the fan being administered CPR at around 4:10pm.

People have been leaving tributes to the Manchester City fan, who has not yet been named, online.

One person wrote: “RIP that city fan. No one should go to a football match and not come home again. RIP”

Another said: “An important reminder amongst all the squabbling over yesterday’s result is that the football isn’t everything. Thoughts are with his family, RIP blue.”

Someone else posted: “Rip blue. Thoughts are with your family and friends at this sad time.”

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Featured Image – The Manc Group

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