Ronaldo rejects $6m-a-year deal to promote Saudi Arabian tourism allegedly due to human rights violations in Yemen

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly turned down a multi-million-dollar opportunity to become the face of Saudi Arabian tourism. The deal was reported to be worth $6m per year and understood to have included Ronaldo’s image being used on all promotional material and his making visits to the country, according to the Telegraph.  People on social media also suspect that this decision to turn down the offer is due to the human rights violations in Yemen by the Kingdom as it has also regularly been accused of ‘sports-washing’ to divert attention from its human rights record. Hence these efforts to change that view with the “Visit Saudi” campaign are to become an attractive tourist destination by hiring famous footballers.

The agreement required would have also Ronaldo to feature in commercial campaigns and visit the country. Ronaldo’s rival Lionel Messi also received an offer from Saudi Arabia, but as his great rival didn’t accept.