Ronaldo agrees deal with Saudi club

Although the World Cup continues to dominate the football conversation for the time being, it will be less than  four weeks before domestic competitions take centre stage again.

One man who has made more than his fair share of headlines in the past month is Cristiano Ronaldo.

It began with the explosive interview that he gave to the British journalist Piers Morgan that almost inevitable led to the termination of his contract with Manchester United – something he had wanted all along.

He then became the first man to score in five successive World Cup finals, before showing the less positive side of his character by trying to claim a goal that he knew did not belong to him.

Inevitably, speculation  has continued as to where he might go next.

In the summer, it is reported that he turned down a move to a club in Saudi Arabia for a large amount of money, because he believed that he was still good enough to play Champions League football.

Whether he has found that doors that he hoped might still be open to him have been closed after the interview by managers and boards of directors worried by the unruly influence he might exert on dressing rooms, or if he has not found a major club willing to meet his wage demands is not clear.

However, it now looks like he is ready to take the money and agree a contract worth nearly £175 million to sign with the Saudi club Al Nassr.

The 37 year old is reported to have signed a two and half year deal with the Saudi side, which means he will more than £400 million over its duration.

Some fans have already accused him of betraying his own legacy and effectively selling out, especially those Manchester United fans who were hoping for a return of the glory years when he re-signed for the club in August last year.

It also means that those who regularly follow Premier league live scores  will never again see the name Ronaldo flashed up whenever United score a goal.

Of course, football never rests and Ronaldo is quickly becoming yesterday’s story at Old Trafford. Already attention is switching to whom might Erik ten Hag sign to replace him in January, with talk that they might try and sign Dutch star Cody Gakpo or take Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic on loan.

And then there is the broader picture still with news that the club’s much despised owners, the Glazer family are willing to sell the club,.

That has prompted an extensive debate as to who might buy the club, and whether whoever does so is prepared to both back ten Hag in the transfer market and provide the investment in the ground and facilities that many have called for – and which was one of the grounds for complaint by Ronaldo in his interview.

All that means that, once the Premier League starts again, Ronaldo will soon be forgotten – except by those who still have CR7 merchandise lying around their house.