Cristiano Ronaldo ‘has a contract clause with Al-Nassr that allows him to join Newcastle on loan’

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League ambitions may not be over just yet, despite signing for Saudi Arabia club Al Nassr. The Sun report, per Marca, that the 37-year-old has a clause in his new contract allowing him to join Newcastle United on loan if they qualify for the Champions League this season.

“This is because of the Middle Eastern link – with the North East outfit owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund,” the article states. The Portuguese forward signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United in November. Newcastle are currently third in the Premier League table after 17 matches played.

Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on Friday. It also gives the 37-year-old Ronaldo a massive payday in what could be the final contract of his career. 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.

Ronaldo had been a free agent after his contract was terminated by Manchester United following an explosive TV interview in which he criticized manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s owners after having been repeatedly benched and even temporarily suspended by the club.

He is also coming off a disappointing World Cup where he was benched in the knockout rounds and left the field in tears after Portugal lost in the quarterfinals to Morocco.

Newcastle are currently third in the points table with 34 points, nine behind the table-toppers Arsenal. The Magpies will face Arsenal on Wednesday.