I’m a football agent – how super rich stars switching to Saudi will be able to live above the law to booze and party

A FOOTBALL agent has revealed how footballers making the move to Saudi Arabia will be "treated like royalty".

Posted Monday, August 21, 2023 by Thesun.co.uk

Charles Cardoso said aces like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar could be exempt from Saudi's strict laws on alcohol and parties.

Neymar will make £2.5 million a week as a player in Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, 'lives like royalty' since his move to Al-Nassr

Ronaldo and his family lived at a ultra-lux Four Seasons suite upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia

Portuguese star Ronaldo, 38, started a new life in Saudi following his lucrative move to Al-Nassr in a £175million-a-year deal.

Neymar also joined the Middle Eastern outfit by signing with Al-Hilal, where he will make £2.5million a week.

The ex-PSG's financial package could then rise as high as £314million for just two seasons - depending on add-ons and commercial deals.

The Brazil star becomes the latest in a long line of high-profile players to move to Saudi Arabia this summer.

He joins Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Malcom at Al-Hilal.

Cardoso, club president at Águas de Santa Bárbara FC, in São Paulo, explained how Saudi Arabia - unlike other wealthy nations - is an extremely attractive option for athletes.

With fewer taxes, the sky is the limit on salaries and what perks can be offered to get players over to the Kingdom.

And although Saudi has a strict ban on booze and wild partying, exemptions from the Kingdom's strict rules could be negotiated for the players, Cardosa revealed.

"When it comes to the big guys, exceptions could be agreed when negotiating their contracts," he told The Sun.

"This means that players could potentially drink and party at home, always being careful, of course."

Cardo said footballers moving to Saudi will also be on diplomatic visas unlike other expats and visitors.

"Even before the ink dries on their contract, players are already in for a life full of perks in Saudi Arabia," he said.

"Players are treated like royalty over there.

"To start with, they enter the country not with an athlete visa, but under a diplomatic one.

"Neymar will make a record £2.5million a week - I think that says it all about Saudi Arabia's power.

"But that doesn't apply solely to big stars, as an average footballer can make up to £1million per month."

And multi-million-pound salaries are just the tip of the iceberg.

Players will be offered luxurious apartments and gated mansions, along with a tight private security network, which, according to the agent, is one of the biggest selling points.

"Whether it's a gated mansion or luxury penthouse, players usually are required to live close to the clubs, so they avoid arriving late to training," Cardosa said.

Ronaldo initially stayed in a Four Seasons hotel in the Kingdom Tower when he touched down in the country - one of the tallest buildings in Saudi Arabia.

The former Manchester United star lived in the "Kingdom Suite" - which stretches across two levels in the 99-floor skyscraper.

The price of the suite is not listed, but the smaller "Presidential Suite" is available for £3,300 per night.

It's understood he moved out of the hotel and into a plush new pad in February - believed to be in an exclusive compound with top-level security.

Al Muhammadiyah and Al Nakheel - prestigious areas of Saudi - are the typical ideal destinations for top footballers.

Both are gated communities situated near Al-Nassr's Mrsool Park stadium.

Even before the ink dries on their contract, players are already in for a life full of perks in Saudi Arabia. -- Charles Cardoso

The areas are kitted out with swimming pools, schools, shops, clinics, gyms and restaurants.

This means Ronaldo would rarely have to leave the compound aside from for training or matches.

However, when the time comes to send children to school, players will most likely have to send them to a local school where girls will have to abide to the norms of covering their hair with a hijab.

But Cardoso said there are other options for players - and efforts will likely be made in their contracts to accommodate their needs.

"In terms of education, there is the possibility of children being educated at home with a private tutor," he said.

"Especially for countries like Brazil and Portugal, moving to a place like Saudi Arabia can be a huge cultural shock.

"So both parties try to accommodate the player's needs."

The football aces also get some pretty lavish freebies, with brands like Ferrari gifting Ronaldo some of their supercars.

Top players like Neymar can be somehow exempt of Saudi Arabia's strict rules

Players can negotiate exceptions to their children's education in Muslim schools

Brands like Ferrari are known to gift their supercars to major footballers

The star is one of many players to splurge their million-dollar salaries in supercars