Opportunity.   The money is the tip of the iceberg. His wife can explore options in Hollywood. Both can expand advertisign endorsements. He already owns a successful soccer camp in LA, which could expand across the country. While LA is filled with paparrazi, they will be just another face in the crowd and can live more of a normal life then when he was the only game in town.

He has admitted that the money is important, but he could have received MUCH more if he signed with other teams. I am sure that a Saudi team would have loved to own him. The money was not the only issue, the potential for the future probably was a greater influence.