Cristiano Ronaldo has ended the rumours about his future by announcing that he will stay with Al Nassr. His contract with the Saudi Pro League team expires on June 30.
The Portugal captain disclosed that he had received interest from clubs participating in the Club World Cup, but after securing the UEFA Nations League trophy with his national team on Sunday, he made it clear: “Future? Nothing will change. Al Nassr? Yes.”
Fernando Hierro, Al Nassr’s sporting director, said last month that they were in talks with Ronaldo about extending his contract but were facing challenges from other clubs interested in the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Reports indicated that Ronaldo, 40, had been offered a tempting deal from an unnamed Brazilian team and was also a target for Al Hilal, Al Nassr’s rivals in Saudi Arabia.
Last month, Ronaldo suggested he might leave after Al Nassr’s final match of the season against Al Fateh, posting on social media: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written.”
Having joined the Saudi club in December 2022 after departing Manchester United, Ronaldo concluded his second consecutive season as the leading scorer in the Saudi Pro League. He netted 25 goals in the league this season, yet Al Nassr finished in a disappointing third place and did not qualify for the upcoming AFC Champions League.
Although he has scored 99 goals in 105 matches for Al Nassr, Ronaldo has missed out on significant trophies, managing only to win the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023 since joining the team. Nonetheless, he achieved his third title with Portugal on Sunday.
Ronaldo recorded his 138th international goal to assist Portugal in defeating Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the final on Sunday.
The former Real Madrid star had earlier led Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 Nations League.
