Home

NBA

“38-Year-Old MJ Going to China” – Hundreds of American Fans Drag NBA Greats Michael Jordan and LeBron James in Explaining Cristiano Ronaldo’s $200 Million Move

Published 01/01/2023, 12:00 PM EST

Follow Us

via Imago

Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a $200 per-year move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr FC and fans and pundits can’t stop reacting. The big money move came at the back of reports of no big European club showing interest in the Portuguese. However, while reacting to the news, NBA fans have dragged basketball legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James into the conversation.

Ronaldo fans are not happy to see him play in some unknown league away from Europe. Some fans have taken a dig at the ex-Manchester United star for accepting the lucrative offer. We are aware of the fact that the player wanted to stay in Europe, but his plans hit a dead end, making him accept the Al Nassr offer. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Fans bring Michael Jordan and LeBron James into the discussion

A Twitter user asked the users to explain the news of Ronaldo going to Saudi Arabia in NBA terms. Soon NBA fans entered the discussion and flooded the comments comparing the move to NBA legends moving to some low-tier leagues or teams.

One user wrote, “38 year old MJ going to China.” Other users were quick to point out the way Ronaldo left Manchester United by criticizing the club, its manager, and the players. One user somehow drew the comparison to Lionel Messi winning the World Cup.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Some fans wrote NBA legends moving to China for big money or to the retirement leagues.

Most of the users brought up LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Late Kobe Bryant was also mentioned by a few users. The imagination of social media users is always a talking point when some huge events occur in the field of sports involving top teams and athletes.

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the highest-paid athlete

After signing a lucrative deal of $200 million per year that includes salary and endorsements, Ronaldo is now the highest-paid athlete surpassing his arch-rival Lionel Messi. The $500 million worth Portuguese will earn $500 million from the deal that runs for two-and-a-half years. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

It will help him to achieve a billionaire status as an athlete. Very few, like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods have achieved it. However, the deal takes Ronaldo away from elite European soccer, and might never get to play club soccer in Europe.

He will continue playing with the national team. It will be interesting to see whether he makes it to the Euro 2024 or not. We can also see Ronaldo taking on elite clubs in FIFA Club World Cup, provided that Al Nassr makes it to the competition. With PSG rethinking scheduling the postponed visit to Riyadh from January 2022, we might see Ronaldo-Messi face-off in the Riyadh Season Cup this January.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story: From Philippe Coutinho to Eden Hazard, Biggest Transfers in the 21st Century

Let us know your thoughts on the new innings for the Portuguese star and whether he will play in the UEFA Euro 2024.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Nikhil Nibe

900Articles

One take at a time

Nikhil is a Soccer writer at EssentiallySports. He is a pharmaceutics graduate holding a PG degree in management with marketing as a specialization. A sales professional since 2011, he decided to change the course of his career into a sports writer to follow his passion for Soccer.
Show More>

Edited by:

Sreeda U M