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Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly turned down a multi-million-pound offer to become the face of Saudi Arabian tourism.

The deal amounted to €6million per year (£5.3m) and is understood to have included Ronaldo making visits to the country and his image being used on all promotional material.

Ronaldo's great rival Lionel Messi has also been approached by Saudi Arabia's tourism authority, but his view on the proposal is not yet known.

Both representatives of Ronaldo and Messi refused to discuss the matter when approached by The Telegraph.

Earlier this week, Ronaldo became the highest-scoring player in the history of the sport as Juventus beat Napoli to win the Italian Super Cup, while Messi has won a record six world player of the year crowns.

Saudi Arabia is aiming to become an attractive tourist hub through its 'Visit Saudi' campaign with the country's reputation in the doldrums over its chequered human rights record, although travel is currently limited due to Covid-19 and Visit Saudi adverts state that a visa must be acquired to go there.

The international reach of two of the most successful players ever to play the game would have added significant clout to their campaign, but any athlete willing to strike a deal with the kingdom would face severe criticism.

Saudi Arabia is using sport as a vehicle more generally to promote itself, staging the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah last January, with Messi's Barcelona competing for the trophy alongside Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Valencia.

Barca's manager at the time Ernesto Valverde admitted that 'we are here because of the money' in what was the first year of a three-year worth £102m to the Spanish football federation (although the event was ultimately held in Spain this year due to the coronavirus pandemic).

Messi was also in Riyadh in November 2019 to play a friendly for Argentina against Brazil, where he met Turki Al-Sheikh, the chairman of the country's 'general entertainment authority' and the majority owner of Segunda Division side Almeria.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9178203/Cristiano-Ronaldo-rejects-5-3million-year-offer-face-Saudi-Arabian-tourism.html

He is focused... He knows what he wants for himself/career and what does not

This OP likes posting Ronaldo news like hell...

You almost make people think Messi doesn't exist at all..

People that only focus on football on papers and social media would think Ronaldo is the best until they watch both of them play..

internationalman:
This OP likes posting Ronaldo news like hell...

You almost make people think Messi doesn't exist at all..

People that only focus on football on papers and social media would think Ronaldo is the best until they watch both of them play..

SHUT UP

GO CREATE YOUR OWN FOR MESSI




LIKE FOR LORD RONALDO

WISE BOTH IN SPORTS AND BUSINESS

dawnomike:
He is focused... He knows what he wants for himself/career and what does not

they should use Mo Salah instead

Lalasticlala

ororo my man...say no to boko

This op is choking us with Ronaldo news

obembet:
they should use Mo Salah instead

Lalasticlala

Mo Salah does not have enough fan base for such... The King of Saudi always go for the best hence, the need for Messi or CR7

osamz007:
SHUT UP

GO CREATE YOUR OWN FOR MESSI




LIKE FOR LORD RONALDO

WISE BOTH IN SPORTS AND BUSINESS

You couldn't be more than 17 years.

So I will pass

internationalman:
You couldn't be more than 17 years.
So I will pass

SOMETIMES WETIN ADULT SEE SITTING DOWN FIT BE NONSENSE

OJay360:
This op is choking us with Ronaldo news

drink water

Thats what happens when you ve made too much money

omo

Money too much for entertainment industry

They need the attention of he can attract.

These arabs mean business.

They don't mind going to any extent to attracr visitors.

Thats how they were able to negotiate a deal to be holding the UFC fights an american company in Abu Dhabi. On yas island.

Millions of dollars in revenues

Money can't buy everything in life u know

Money no be everything!!!

Tell Saudi I will take the offer, after all, I need those pounds.

See free money

‘Happiness is not in having so many possessions, but in having few wants’

good for him

Ororo

osamz007:
SOMETIMES WETIN ADULT SEE SITTING DOWN FIT BE NONSENSE

Hahahahahakikikiki. This one enter

Saudi people are wise. The figures they'd rake in will be far far more than that amount they wanna pay him.

Messi would pounce on it...he has no shame.

I will do it for 500,000 USD.

That’s nice because he values humanity more than money...Those Arabs are animals

well he has his reason
that show u that money can't buy his idea
good one Ronaldo

Na wa.... E get where you go get money reach... You go dey reject deals

D money 2 small 4 am money man