Ronaldo hints at Saudi exit and blockbuster transfer with cryptic comment
Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have confirmed his departure from Al-Nassr. Ronaldo joined the Saudi Pro League side back in January 2023 after making an acrimonious exit from Manchester United.
The superstar attacker has been in fine form for Nassr, scoring 99 goals in 111 appearances in all competitions. Despite that, Ronaldo only has the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup to show for his efforts.
Nassr finished third in this season's Pro League, missing out on qualification for the Asian Champions League in the process. They were also knocked out in the semi-finals of the Champions League by Japanese side Kawasaki and were dumped out of the King Cup of Champions in the Last 16 by Al-Taawoun.
Ronaldo's contract expires this summer, sparking doubts over his future in the Middle East. The 40-year-old has now poured fire on those rumours with his latest post on social media.
Nassr played their final game of the season on Monday night, losing 3-2 to Al-Fateh, who finished midtable. Ronaldo had opened the scoring, but Fateh fought back to turn the game on its head. READ MORE: Sky Sports confirms major Premier League changes ahead of last day of season READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes' message from Cristiano Ronaldo sums up shocking state of Man Utd
Their captain posted a photo of himself standing on the pitch ahead of the game with an eye-raising caption. That read: "This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all."
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has tipped Ronaldo to play at the Club World Cup this summer despite Nassr not qualifying. The revamped tournament is set to take place in the USA this summer and as it stands Ronaldo will not be a part of it.
The only Saudi Arabian representation will be from Al-Hilal. But Infantino has suggested that Ronaldo could put pen to paper with one of the clubs playing at the Club World Cup.
Ronaldo scored as Al-Nassr lost their final game of the season (Image: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
'Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup,' Infantino told IShowSpeed, the American YouTuber and online streamer. 'There are discussions.'
He added: 'Yeah, Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup, yeah. There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup…who knows, who knows.'
While Infantino has backed Ronaldo to feature at the Club World Cup, the Portuguese attacker has also been tipped to make another return to former club United. Quinton Fortune has suggested that he could potentially look at buying a stake in the Red Devils.
Speaking to Boyle Sports, he said: 'Could Cristiano Ronaldo be a coach? I think he could do anything he puts his mind to. We've seen it first hand during his career. At Manchester United I could see him as a part owner.
"He's done incredible things in football and also financially, anything is possible because he loves the club. The club still loves him with the amazing memories he created there, if he got an opportunity behind the scenes I think he'd jump to be a part of it.'
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