After Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, former players-turned-pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville voiced their dismay at the star striker’s decision.
Speaking on Sky Sports on Friday night, Neville said: “I felt he would want to stay in Europe, it tells me the offers are amazing and the clubs weren’t coming for him.”
“There is an element of sadness for me – (the) last of Ronaldo at the highest level. That had to end at Old Trafford – it looks like Cristiano is ending his career in Saudi Arabia,” he added.
Carragher, on the side, recalled how Ronaldo ended his career with an interview with Piers Morgan while Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina.
However, on social media, Ronaldo’s lucrative move has been hailed as a milestone for Middle East football.
For 37-year-old Ronaldo, it was a huge payday in what could be the last contract of his career.
Media reports have claimed that the Portuguese star could earn up to $200 million a year from the deal, which would make him the highest paid footballer in history.
Ronaldo said in a statement that he was “eager to experience a new football league in another country”.