The inside story of Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with Al Nassr: anger, millions of dollars, and Fernando Hierro as the latest victim.

Third in the Saudi Arabian League, eliminated from the King's Cup in the round of 16, humiliated defeat in the Super Cup final against Al Hilal (4-1) and eliminated in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League by Kawasaki Frontale. Al Nassr's 2024/25 season was too much for Cristiano Ronaldo , to the point that he posted a mysterious message on his social media: "This chapter is over. The story? It's still being written. Thankful to everyone."

What seemed like a departure for the world's highest-paid footballer in search of new challenges, especially to teams competing in the Club World Cup, has ended up taking a very different path. "They had to give him everything he wanted to stay, since they know that the present and part of the future of the Saudi league depends on him," a source involved in the negotiations told The Sun . Cristiano is not only staying at Al Nassr with a substantial contract increase, but the club's sporting director, Fernando Hierro , could also leave imminently after just one year in the position.

Last summer, the Spanish executive signed for the Saudi Arabian team from Chivas. A club and a country, Mexico, where his youngest son was born and to which he bid a fond farewell. Contrary to other markets in the Middle East, where stars were often signed in the twilight of their careers, the sporting director opted for young talent to strengthen Al Nassr. He spent 175 million euros, mostly on promising players such as Aston Villa's Colombian Jhon Durán (77 million euros), Leipzig's French-Guinean Mohamed Simakan (35 million euros), and Chelsea's Brazilian Angelo (23 million euros).

"inappropriate and unacceptable"

He kept Portuguese Luis Castro on the bench, but the thrashing in the Super Cup final against Al Hilal led to his immediate replacement by a personal choice: Stefano Pioli . Castro's dismissal was publicly endorsed, with Cristiano Ronaldo, his first defender when he signed for the club in 2023, furious after that lost final.

But the Italian's adventure, without titles despite the Madeira star having his best season with Al Nassr (35 goals), has ended despite still having another year left on his contract. Pioli was not the first victim of Cristiano's contract renewal demanded, as a week earlier the Saudi club's executive director, Majed Jaman Alsorour , had been dismissed. "Today I was fired in a manner that I consider unprofessional, inappropriate, and unacceptable," wrote the former president, while announcing legal action against the club.

Thus, Hierro, whose departure could be confirmed in the coming days, is the third victim of the restructuring demanded by CR7. "Cristiano gets what he wants, and the shares keep him around as a force to attract players, sponsors , and the spotlight until he retires," the source told the British newspaper.

Crazy numbers

The aforementioned shares could amount to around 15% of the club's ownership and would be valued at around €38 million. This figure would be added to his €570 million salary for two seasons and a €28.6 million bonus, which could rise to €44 million if he completes the two-year contract. Furthermore, his bonuses increase to almost €100,000 per goal and €50,000 per assist, which would increase by 20% in the second season. Aside from the numbers, the Portuguese player and his family will have 16 employees, a private jet, and shared sponsorship agreements with the club for an additional €70 million annually.

"He's aware of that [his importance] and they had to 'cover him in gold' to keep him, giving him more money, bonuses, and benefits," sources involved in the negotiations told The Sun. Cristiano wasn't just demanding gold, but also victims. Fernando Hierro , the former sporting director of the Spanish national team, is the latest.