Cristiano Ronaldo has sparked speculation over his future in Saudi Arabia after posting a cryptic message suggesting his time with Al Nassr may be at an end. The 40-year-old Portuguese footballer made the announcement just hours after the Saudi Pro League season concluded, leaving fans and commentators questioning whether he is set to leave the club this summer.
Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2022 following his second spell at Manchester United, has a contract that is due to expire in the coming weeks. While the club did not qualify for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, a special transfer window will run from 1–10 June to allow participating clubs to recruit players — raising the possibility of Ronaldo featuring for another team in the tournament, which kicks off in the United States on 14 June.
In his social media post, Ronaldo shared an image of himself wearing the Al Nassr shirt with the caption: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.” The message has only fuelled rumours of his potential departure.
Despite Al Nassr’s disappointing end to the season — finishing third in the Saudi Pro League and crashing out of the Asian Champions League semi-finals against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale — Ronaldo finished as the league’s top scorer with 25 goals.
His departure would be a significant blow to the Saudi Pro League, which has invested heavily in attracting international talent, starting with Ronaldo’s high-profile move. That decision paved the way for a string of ageing stars to join the Gulf nation’s clubs.
Only months ago, Brazilian forward Neymar’s time in Saudi Arabia ended after a short and injury-hit stint with Al Hilal. He played just seven matches, despite reportedly earning around $104 million a year.
The potential exodus of Ronaldo now raises further questions about the league’s long-term viability and staying power, drawing comparisons with the Chinese Super League, which similarly spent lavishly on foreign stars before collapsing under financial strain.
Nonetheless, FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently hinted at ongoing discussions about Ronaldo playing in the expanded Club World Cup, saying, “If any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup… who knows, who knows.”
While Ronaldo has previously hinted that he might retire at Al Nassr, his latest remarks suggest otherwise. His long-time rival Lionel Messi will appear at the Club World Cup with Inter Miami, and it remains to be seen if Ronaldo will find another route to the tournament.
As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and continues its push to diversify away from oil through sport and entertainment, the future of the Pro League—and its marquee star—remains uncertain.
