A FOOTBALL AGENT has warned that players who go to Saudi Arabia will be “treated like royalty.”
According to Charles Cardoso, superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar could be immune from Saudi Arabia’s severe alcohol and partying rules.
Neymar will make £2.5 million a week as a player in Saudi ArabiaCredit: AFP
Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, ‘lives like royalty’ since his move to Al-NassrCredit: Getty
When Ronaldo and his family arrived in Saudi Arabia, they stayed in an ultra-luxurious Four Seasons suite.Photographer: Four Seasons
Ronaldo, 3, of Portugal, has begun a new life in Saudi Arabia after a lucrative £175 million-a-year move to Al-Nassr.
Neymar also joined the Middle Eastern club, signing with Al-Hilal for £2.5 million a week.
Depending on add-ons and commercial arrangements, the ex-PSG’s cash package might then reach £314 million for just two seasons.
The Brazilian star is the most recent in a long line of high-profile athletes to relocate to Saudi Arabia this summer.
At Al-Hilal, he joins Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Malcom.
Cardoso, club president of Guas de Santa Bárbara FC in So Paulo, noted how, unlike other rich countries, Saudi Arabia is a particularly appealing alternative for players.
With lower taxes, the sky is the limit in terms of compensation and perks that may be offered to lure players to the Kingdom.
Although Saudi Arabia has a stringent ban on drinking and reckless partying, Cardosa said that exemptions from the Kingdom’s strict laws might be secured for the players.
“When it comes to the big guys, exceptions could be agreed upon when negotiating their contracts,” he explained to The Sun.
“This means that players could potentially drink and party at home, always being careful, of course.”
Cardo said footballers moving to Saudi will also be on diplomatic visas unlike other expats and visitors.
“Even before the ink dries on their contract, players are already in for a life full of perks in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
“Players are treated like royalty over there.
“To start with, they enter the country not with an athlete visa, but under a diplomatic one.
“Neymar will make a record £2.5million a week – I think that says it all about Saudi Arabia’s power.
“But that doesn’t apply solely to big stars, as an average footballer can make up to £1million per month.”
Salaries in the millions of pounds are merely the tip of the iceberg.
Players will be granted beautiful residences and guarded mansions, as well as a tight private security network, which is one of the main selling aspects, according to the agent.
“Whether it’s a gated mansion or a luxury penthouse, players are usually required to live close to the clubs so they don’t miss training,” Cardosa explained.
When Ronaldo first arrived in Saudi Arabia, he stayed at the Four Seasons hotel in the Kingdom Tower, one of the country’s tallest skyscrapers.
The former Manchester United star resided in the “Kingdom Suite,” which spans two levels of the 99-story building.
The suite’s cost is not specified, however the smaller “Presidential Suite” costs £3,300 per night.
He is said to have moved out of the hotel and into a sumptuous new apartment in February, which is thought to be in an exclusive enclave with top-tier security.
The wealthy Saudi areas of Al Muhammadiyah and Al Nakheel are generally perfect destinations for star footballers.
Both are gated neighborhoods near the Mrsool Park stadium in Al-Nassr.
Even before the ink dries on their contract, players are already in for a life full of perks in Saudi Arabia
Charles Cardoso
Swimming pools, schools, shops, clinics, gyms, and restaurants are available in the areas.
This means Ronaldo would only need to leave the compound for training or matches.
When it comes time to send children to school, players will almost certainly have to send them to a local school where females must adhere to the conventions of covering their hair with a hijab.
However, Cardoso stated that players have alternative options and that efforts will be made in their contracts to satisfy their demands.
“In terms of education, there is the possibility of children being educated at home with a private tutor,” he said.
“Especially for countries like Brazil and Portugal, moving to a place like Saudi Arabia can be a huge cultural shock.
“So both parties try to accommodate the player’s needs.”
The football aces also get some pretty lavish freebies, with brands like Ferrari gifting Ronaldo some of their supercars.
“I believe Cristiano has five Ferrari cars in his garage and rumour has it he can pick a different car each day of the week to match his outfit,” Cardoso joked.
The Real Madrid legend owns a plethora of vehicles, all of which are part of his amazing £17 million fleet.
After moving to the Middle East, Neymar chose to add to his dream automobile collection.
Two of the eight new additions to his fleet, costing over £1 million, are a brand-new Aston Martin and a Lamborghini.
Cardoso explained how the Saudi market has been booming long before the major names arrived.
And he expects an increasing number of players to make the switch.
the next few seasons.
“It’s no news to anyone that the Saudis have great money,” he said.
“But unlike countries like China – which became a football failure – they had a great long-term vision for the football industry.
“The Saudi strategy is to get the biggest names first to get more visibility to the country, attract tourism and showcase their great infrastructure for footballers.
“They then want to re-sell all these players back to Europe at insane prices.
“I can certainly see more and more players moving to Saudi over the next few seasons – it’s an absolute jackpot for players, clubs, and investors.”
Ronaldo currently lives in a luxury gated mansion with his wife and childrenCredit: Propertyfinder.sa
Top players like Neymar can be somehow exempt of Saudi Arabia’s strict rulesCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
Players can negotiate exceptions to their children’s education in Muslim schoolsCredit: Instagram/@cristiano
Brands like Ferrari are known to gift their supercars to major footballersCredit: Instagram @cristiano
The star is one of many players to splurge their million-dollar salaries in supercars
