Cristiano Ronaldo will be ‘out of sight, out of mind’ if he goes to Saudi, says Lalas
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‘MLS can’t compete with money, but their brand won’t grow as big in Saudi Arabia’: Alexi Lalas tells Cristiano Ronaldo he’ll be ‘out of sight, out of mind’ if he joins Al-Nassr for $211ma – year while urging him to head to the US.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be “out of sight, out of mind” if he joins cash-rich Saudi club Al-Nassr following his departure from Manchester United, according to former US defender Alexi Lalas.
The 37-year-old left the Premier League giants ahead of the World Cup after his relationship with the club was irreparable following his explosive TV interview with Piers Morgan.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s team dismissed reports Monday that its $211 million a year transfer to Saudi club Al-Nassr was complete and set to be sealed on January 1 as “nonsense.”
Cristiano Ronaldo (R) will be ‘out of sight, out of mind’ if he joins Al-Nassr, says Alexi Lalas (R)
Ronaldo’s next destination is a hot topic amid the World Cup in Qatar and Lalas spoke about it ahead of Portugal’s round of 16 clash with Switzerland.
The FOX Sports analyst urged the superstar under fire, who is facing the national team roster ax after his public bad temper, to choose MLS over Saudi Arabia if the option is on the table.
“It looks like he’s going to make a lot of money and go to Saudi Arabia to play,” Lalas said on the network. tonight show.
Al-Nassr is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, having won the Saudi league nine times.
Ronaldo left Manchester United after his relationship with the club was irreparable
‘He’s out of sight and out of mind. I can’t remember the last time we heard about the Saudi Arabian league.
“For a guy who is so concerned about his brand, and certainly has more money than he can make, it’s kind of a weird thing for him. For $200 million you’ll get it, but if the alternative is to make less money in Miami or Los Angeles, I’d do it.
“MLS can’t compete with that kind of money, what MLS can give you is a much bigger entry into the American market — it’s already huge in the United States.” For a guy who’s cultivated that brand for several years, that might be more appealing.
‘At the time, he may not have made the money, but he could have made his mark.
“I’m not saying we won’t hear from Cristiano Ronaldo or that his brand can’t grow, but I’m sure it won’t grow as much in Saudi Arabia relative to the United States.
“We’ve seen him with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Beckham, Thierry Henry, he’s not completely out of sight, out of mind.”
Inter Miami owner Beckham has reportedly already spoken with the Portuguese superstar’s representatives about a move to the MLS team.
The report indicates that Beckham received a positive response with Ronaldo interested in moving to Miami.
It was previously reported that Ronaldo’s great rival Lionel Messi is Beckham’s number one target for his MLS franchise, but the striker’s potential availability from United has alerted Beckham.
Ronaldo could “have that Beckham effect” with a move to MLS, FOX’s Jimmy Conrad claimed last month.
Ronaldo has been linked with a move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami in recent weeks.
