Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed £305m deal to play in Saudi Arabia and rejected other offers this summer

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he rejected an offer to play in Saudi Arabia this summer which would have made the highest paid footballer in the world.

The 37-year-old forward said he had been offered a two-year contract worth an astonishing €350million (£305m) from an unnamed club.

Spanish outlet Marca claimed that Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal had made an offer to the Manchester United superstar. 

Cristiano Ronaldo rejected the chance to become the highest paid footballer in the world

Ronaldo revealed he had other offers to leave Manchester United in the summer after reports that no-one was interested in signing him. 

Opening up for the first time in an extraordinary interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV about a massive offer to play in Saudi Arabia, he said admitted rumours of €350m for two seasons were true.

On Piers Morgan Uncensored: 90 Minutes with Ronaldo, he said: ‘It’s true, yes it’s true… but what the press keeping say, the garbage, is that nobody wants me, which is completely wrong. And I was happy here to be honest, I was motivated to do a great season here. 

The 37-year-old forward said he had been offered a two-year contract worth an astonishing £305m during the summer

‘But they continue to repeat that nobody wants Cristiano. How they don’t want a player who scored 32 goals last year, with national team [included]?’

On turning down a potential €350m payday, he said: ‘It’s hard, it’s hard. But in the same way, I thought that I was very happy here; that I still capable to score goals.

‘I still believe that I can score many, many goals and help the team because I still believe that I’m still good and capable to help national team – even Manchester United. But if you don’t feel around you that the energy’s on your side, it’s difficult.

‘Of course, the criticism is gonna exists all the time. “Ah he’s 37, he’s not the same”. But I want to see if some guy of my age can maintain the level that I show… Yes, in this moment, I feel very, very good…. I believe that I’m going to do an amazing World Cup and I’m prepared, physically and mentally… But Piers, it is what it is. Life’s good, I’m good, my mental [outlook] is good. I’m happy to do this interview with you. I know we’re gonna generate many polemic.’

Despite links to the likes of Atletico Madrid, Sporting Lisbon and Napoli, he was unable to secure a move to a club in Europe’s premier competition.

But Ronaldo says he can still play at the top level. 

The Manchester United star wants to continue playing at the top level until he’s 40

He said: ‘For me it’s a stupid question. What do people say? They are not the same. Nobody is the same. Day by day we’re getting old. Every one of us, you understand, it is normal. You have to adapt. And I think nobody in this game have this brain that adapts with his age. I’m not, I’m not want to be cocky to say that I’m the same as when I was 20. Of course, no.

‘But I adapt and be smart to know my strength, what I’m good to do. And I’m still playing the high level and I score goals, and I will continue to score goals. If my mind is clear and happy. And if the people surround me, they’re helping me to be successful player, especially the coach, the president, the directors.

‘I want to play two years more, three years more. So two or three years maximum. I want to finish with 40. I think 40, will be a good age. But I don’t know, I don’t know the future. Sometimes you plan one thing for your life and as I told many times, the life is dynamic. And you never know what’s going to happen.’