Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Al-Nassr appears to be coming to an end, with reports suggesting the football legend is set to officially announce his departure from the Saudi club.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner sparked exit rumors earlier this week after posting a cryptic message on social media. “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all,” Ronaldo wrote on X (formerly Twitter), shortly after Al-Nassr concluded their season in third place in the Saudi Pro League.
Although negotiations were reportedly advanced for a new £167 million-per-year contract, Ronaldo is said to have made a dramatic U-turn, declining the offer and opting to explore new opportunities.
During his tenure in Saudi Arabia, the 40-year-old forward scored an astonishing 99 goals for Al-Nassr, further solidifying his reputation as one of football’s most prolific scorers. However, his future destination remains uncertain. Potential suitors have been rumored to include clubs in Major League Soccer, Brazil, Turkey, his boyhood team Sporting Lisbon, or even a move to Al-Nassr’s domestic rivals, Al-Hilal.
Spanish outlet Marca reports that Al-Nassr will hold a press conference in the coming days to officially confirm Ronaldo’s departure.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT claims the club has already set its sights on a high-profile replacement, with Liverpool winger Luis Díaz reportedly at the top of their transfer wish list. The Colombian international is under contract with the Premier League side until 2027.
Despite the uncertainty, Ronaldo remains focused on an ambitious personal goal: reaching 1,000 career goals. With 936 goals to his name, the milestone could still take another two to three seasons of consistent scoring.
There’s also speculation that he could feature in the newly revamped FIFA Club World Cup this summer. FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently stirred interest by suggesting Ronaldo might still participate, despite Al-Nassr not qualifying for the tournament.
“Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup,” Infantino hinted. “There are discussions… if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup—who knows?”
With his next move yet to be confirmed, one thing is certain: Ronaldo’s storied career is far from over—and the next chapter promises to be just as compelling.
