Argentine journalist Federico Bulos from El Futbolero Internacional gives his thoughts on the rumors that Inter Miami is willing to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the team to play with Lionel Messi. Bulos believes that the rumor could be strong because of the Portuguese striker’s dissatisfaction with Saudi Arabia’s environment. Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr expires in the summer of 2025, and the Portuguese star has yet to be offered a new deal or has shown signs that he will continue in Saudi Arabia after 2025. Bulos reports that Ronaldo did not expect the poor treatment he receives from opposition fans and Inter Miami’s co-owner David Beckham is interested in bringing two of the greatest players of all time together in the same team.
Other Argentine journalists like Martin Liberman and Chris Martin see it unlikely that Ronaldo and Messi would play together at Inter Miami. Martin reports that even though it is unlikely, it is not impossible due to Ronaldo’s second thoughts about Suadi Arabian football.
Some reports in Saudi Arabia suggest that Inter Miami has already contacted Ronaldo for a possible deal being closed. CR7 is likely to continue one more season with Al Nassr since the fee to bring him may be high, but with one year left in his contract, the MLS club would offer Al Nassr around $20 million since the Portuguese are valued at around $16 million according to Transfermarkt. Ronaldo reportedly earns $213.2 million a year with Al Nassr, which is way more than what Messi earns at Inter Miami.
🚨 Inter Miami STILL wants to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. [@a_altamimi11] pic.twitter.com/3S7Q11o7xO
— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) May 5, 2024
Inter Miami signed Messi for free as his contract was up with PSG last summer. Messi reportedly earns a base salary of $12 million a year, but with compensation, he is guaranteed $20.4 million annually. The Argentine is the top earner in the squad, but his deals with Apple and Adidas, on top of other sponsorships, make him earn significantly more than his teammates.
Where would CR7 play at Inter Miami?
Ronaldo currently plays as a striker for Al Nassr and has delivered 32 goals and ten assists in 27 Saudi Pro League matches. Inter Miami already has Luis Suarez, who has ten goals and five assists in 11 MLS matches. Ronaldo often drives with the ball on the left, which could mean that Inter Miami could use a front three of CR7 on the left wing, Luis Suarez as the main striker, and Messi as the right winger.