Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. Set For $20M Boost, Thanks to Al Nassr’s China Friendlies: Reports

In light of the ongoing winter break, Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr will head to China on January 19 to feature in two club friendlies. Earlier, rumors had it that the Riyadh-based club would receive a $13 million fee for playing in China. However, it now says the Riyadh-based club will receive $10 million for each of the two matches they play in China. That would mean it would rake in $20 million or 80 million Saudi Riyals. Putting all that into context, Ronaldo and Co. will travel to China for a 10-day tour. Although they arrive on January 19, the first friendly will kick off on January 24.

Al Nassr will take on the Chinese Super League side, Shanghai Shenhua. Next, the Saudi club plays the Super League’s Zhejiang FC. The Shenzhen Stadium in Southern China will host both of Al Nassr’s matches. Interestingly, CR7 and his teammates are lacing up, just after Lionel Messi and Co. at Inter Miami canceled their plan to have a pre-season in China. Anyways, the Cristiano Ronaldo frenzy has hit the Chinese fandom hard. The tickets for Al Nassr matches were reportedly sold out within minutes of going for sale!

Both Shanghai Shenhua and Zhejiang FC do not boast as impressive a run as Al Nassr in the Asian region. Neither of the two teams feature in the ongoing AFC Champions League. Whereas, Al Nassr is now buckling up for the tournament’s knockout fixture. Moreover, the Chinese sides lack Al Nassr’s star power. However, Cristiano Ronaldo will meet with his Portuguese compatriot Joao Carlos Teixeira in the match against Shanghai. These friendlies will give CR7 and Co. much-needed game time and a runout. Mainly because they have a busy schedule after the friendlies and the winter break.

Box office clashes await Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr after China

Shortly after returning from China, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr will face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on February 1. Riyadh Season Cup hosts what could be the last meeting of the generational rivals. To complete the cup’s round-robin format, Al Alami will also play against arch-rivals Al Hilal. Al Hilal embarrassed Al Nassr with a 3-0 defeat during their recent meeting. Therefore, it is payback time for the 5x Ballon d’Or winner and the Knights of Najd. Had Neymar not been injured, the Riyadh Season could have hosted the soccer superstar triumvirate in February.

READ MORE: Al Nassr Force $22 Million Star Out as Cristiano Ronaldo Eyes Reunion With Casemiro

Once the Riyadh Season is over, Al Nassr returns to the AFC Champions League to play a knockout fixture against Al Fayha. The very next day, they will return to the Saudi League after a nearly two-month hiatus. Therefore, these Chinese friendlies are just the beginning of a clogged first quarter for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.

Are you looking forward to watching Al Nassr in China? Let us know in the comments below.

WATCH THIS STORY: Cristiano Jr’s Insane Training Schedule