Cristiano Ronaldo may have been 'FOOLED' by his £173m-a-year deal at Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, says Rivaldo - as the Brazil icon urges him to return to Real Madrid to end his career
- Rivaldo claimed Cristiano Ronaldo may have been 'fooled' by his Al-Nassr deal
- Ronaldo signed a huge £173million-a-year contract with the Saudi Arabian side
- And Brazil icon Rivaldo suggested it may be time for him to return to Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo could have been 'fooled' when he signed his massive contract at Al-Nassr, according to Rivaldo.
Ronaldo, 38, joined the Saudi Arabian side in January after his contract at Manchester United was terminated following an explosive interview criticising the club.
His £173million-a-year deal, across two-and-a-half years, makes him the best-paid player in world football.
But Brazil icon Rivaldo has suggested the vast salaries offered in Saudi Arabia mask the difficulty of the league and the way of life in the Gulf state.
He told Mundo Deportivo: 'I understand that sometimes the players are fooled by the big contract they sign in Saudi Arabia, but then life there is more closed and football is not always as easy as expected.
![Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, may have been 'fooled' when signing his contract at Saudi side Al-Nassr](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/15/10/70994821-12084399-Cristiano_Ronaldo_38_may_have_been_fooled_when_signing_his_contr-a-9_1684143667555.jpg)
Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, may have been 'fooled' when signing his contract at Saudi side Al-Nassr
![Veteran forward is on a huge £173million-a-year deal with Dinko Jelicic's side in Saudi Arabia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/15/09/70994871-12084399-image-a-102_1684138402554.jpg)
Veteran forward is on a huge £173million-a-year deal with Dinko Jelicic's side in Saudi Arabia
![Brazil icon Rivaldo has suggested the wages may mask the difficulties of life the in Gulf state](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/15/09/70994815-12084399-image-a-103_1684138459113.jpg)
Brazil icon Rivaldo has suggested the wages may mask the difficulties of life the in Gulf state
'So, you may be going through a phase of some disappointment and even reflection. If the money you're getting makes up for the not-so-happy life you're living right now.
'It would be good for him and for football to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Real Madrid to finish his career.
'Of course, the fans have to understand that they cannot demand the same from him as when he was 25 or 26-years-old, but he can still help the club in more conquests'.
Ronaldo has scored 12 goals in 16 games in all competitions for Dinko Jelicic's side since joining.
But is believed Ronaldo's partner Georgina Rodriguez is unhappy with life in Saudi Arabia and wants to return to Europe.
The veteran forward may therefore want to follow Rivaldo's advice and return to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Portuguese star Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 games with the current European champions from 2009-2018.
Los Blancos are said to be keen on a reunion with him - but as an ambassador rather than a player.
![Ronaldo's partner Georgina Rodriguez (second right) is believed to be unhappy in the country](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/15/09/70994895-12084399-image-a-104_1684138484606.jpg)
Ronaldo's partner Georgina Rodriguez (second right) is believed to be unhappy in the country
![Rivaldo suggested the forward return to Real Madrid, where he won four Champions Leagues](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/15/11/70999725-12084399-image-a-153_1684148167319.jpg)
Rivaldo suggested the forward return to Real Madrid, where he won four Champions Leagues
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/02/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png)
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- Montenegro fans create distraction from football with fireworks
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over