Two years after his arrival in Saudi Arabia, particularly at Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo is just hours away from being completely free of any contract. While he will be able to sign with any team starting on 1st January, the Madrid legend does little to reassure fans about continuing his journey with the Nassrawites.
In December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo shocked the football world by announcing his departure from Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United to join Saudi Arabia. With an astronomical offer, the Portuguese forward joined the Saudi Pro League, specifically Al-Nassr, as an ambassador for the country. A true icon of world football, CR7 opened the door to other major names in global football, such as Karim Benzema, Nacho, Joselu, N’Golo Kanté, Mahrez, Neymar, and many more. After 88 matches with the Nassrawi team, which includes Sadio Mané and other stars, Ronaldo has scored 79 goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo set to leave Al-Nassr
Recently crowned Best Player in the Middle East at the Globe Soccer Awards, Real Madrid’s all-time greatest player may have won his last trophy in Al-Nassr colours. Despite rumours of a contract extension with the Riyadh-based team, Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to sign a new deal. Starting from 1st January, the 40-year-old forward will be free to pack his bags and join a new club, either in Saudi Arabia or in another league.
When asked about his future during the Globe Soccer Awards, the Portuguese striker gave little reassurance about continuing his adventure with Al-Nassr. Much like he did before leaving Real Madrid or Manchester United, Ronaldo made it clear that the door to a departure remains open rather than committing to an extension with the Saudi club. “No one knows what can happen in the future,” he said, as reported by Marca. Indeed, the Spanish daily revealed on Monday that CR7 is keen to continue his adventure in the Saudi league.
CR7 awaits an appealing project
As in every club where he has played and won trophies, Cristiano wants to win titles in Saudi Arabia. However, given the club’s challenging situation, with an unstable management and financial difficulties, the former Real Madrid player may be ready to move on. Determined to keep playing until 2026, the Funchal native is open to a new project, provided it is attractive and based on solid foundations, allowing him to continue achieving new milestones and breaking records.
Do you think this will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final season with Al Nassr? pic.twitter.com/ruYts4odcS
— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) December 28, 2024
Unlike some of his teammates, such as Sadio Mané or Anderson Talisca, who are being courted by other clubs but held back by Al-Nassr’s new president—demanding lucrative offers with significant signing bonuses—Ronaldo is free to decide his future and appears to be on the verge of leaving. One thing is certain: he will not be joining Ligue 1, which he continues to view as an inferior league compared to the Saudi Pro League.
With complete silence currently emanating from Al-Nassr, it is clearer than ever that we are on the brink of a groundbreaking announcement regarding the greatest goalscorer in football history in January.
