Now we're talking' some real money!

 

It was reported the other day that one of the pleasant folks who run Saudi Arabia has offered Christiano Ronaldo, star of the Portuguese team, $211 million A YEAR—for 2 1/2 years—to play for a team in the Saudi Sand & Camel Circuit, or whatever that nation's soccer league is.

This despite the fact that Ronaldo—unlike our own Aaron Judge—seems to be a nasty piece of work. 

Already, in this tournament, he has been spotted furiously berating his own goalkeeper (for nearly committing what would indeed have been a colossal idiocy at the end of one game), and he was benched for Portugal's most recent match after murmuring something mean about his manager.

As it happened, his substitute scored a hat trick in a 6-1, Portugal romp, which is rather like winning a playoff game by 25-1. Even so, rumors have abounded that Ronaldo has been thinking of jumping the team, as it moves into the quarterfinals.

So, not a pleasant individual. But a five-time World Player of the Year, who is estimated to have made over $1 billion in his career, moving between top European clubs Man U, Juventus, and Real Madrid.  One of the leading "influencers" on the planet, he reportedly gets $40 million a year just from Instagram, and his going fee for any endorsement is $1.6 million. 

It may seem passing strange that pretty much the least individualistic sport on the globe, soccer, bestows such money and adoration on its stars, but there it is.

So...why does he need more from the Saudis? 

Turns out, he doesn't. Ronaldo has reportedly turned down the half-billion-dollar offer. And hey, how good must THAT feel? Being able to tell someone to take their $500 million and shove it?

Maybe it's only a negotiating ploy, but it seems that even irascible billionaires sometimes realize that life is short, and with this sort of wealth, they might as well do what they like for the rest of their lives.

Aaron Judge seems to understand that, too. So does Steve Cohen. Might be nice if HAL were to reach that level of enlightenment as well.