Facing Instagram & WhatsApp Block in Middle-East, Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo Takes Legal Action at $2,160,000,000 Ex-Employers

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s relations with most of his former clubs have turned sour. It seems Real Madrid and Sporting CP are the only exceptions. The Portuguese is back in contact with one of his old employers. But this time, it’s to take legal action against the club for not paying him. This comes shortly after apps like WhatsApp, Twitter(now X), Instagram, and others were blocked in the Middle East causing problems for foreign players playing there.

The current Al Nassr forward’s stint at Juventus did serve up some memorable moments; “that” bicycle kick included. Ronaldo had a 4-year spell at Juventus in the Italian Serie A from 2018 to 2022, where he scored 101 goals in 134 games for the Turin club. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the forward was not paid a certain amount that was in his contract.

Details of Cristiano Ronaldo’s lawsuit against Juventus

Juventus, worth around $2,160,000,000, reportedly told Ronaldo he would be paid the sum once the pandemic was over, but he has still not been paid the pending amount.

According to a report in the Italian media outlet Gazzetta, Ronaldo was to be paid a sum that would amount to a staggering $21 million (19.9 million euros) which he still hasn’t received. Juventus deferred the payment and agreed to pay Ronaldo the sum after the club’s finances improved during the pandemic. But the Bianconeri still haven’t paid CR7 the amount which is why he is taking legal action against the club.

According to Gazzetta, Ronaldo filed a complaint by going to the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Al Nassr forward has now decided to press charges against his old club.

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The Gazzetta report also suggests that Ronaldo’s teammate at the time, Paulo Dybala, reached an agreement with the club to get 3 million euros or $3.2 million in wages back. So it could be a similar process for Juventus with Ronaldo, in this case. Juve could choose to settle in a similar vein akin to what they did with Dybala. Cristiano Ronaldo, nevertheless, did have a successful stint in Italy.

Ronaldo’s stint at Juve was productive as internet issues could hamper lawsuit communication

CR7 signed for Juventus in 2018 on a 4-year contract. The forward’s time in Italy was indeed productive as he went on to win 2 Serie A titles, 2 Italian Super Cups, and the Coppa Italia. Apart from scoring 101 goals for the Old Lady, Ronaldo also racked up 22 assists and scored some memorable goals for the Turin giants.

However, the social media blockages in the Middle East could prove to be a problem for Ronaldo, especially considering he’s taking legal action against Juventus. WhatsApp could perhaps be the most integral and important app in this case. Nevertheless, as per reports, Middle Eastern officials are looking into the social media blockage situation. One Middle East official said, “I spoke to the CEO of IranCell and asked that these players be able to have unrestricted access to the Internet while they are in our country.”

Ronaldo who is now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia at Al Nassr, recently had a poor showing for Portugal during the international break. One pundit on ESPN FC even suggested Ronaldo is in his ‘decline’, way ahead of Messi after his poor showing for Portugal against Slovakia. Now, this lawsuit is the latest in what has been a strange few weeks for Cristiano Ronaldo. The eventual outcome remains to be seen.

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