Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with Al Nassr is at the end of the current season and no decision has been made as to whether he will extend his Saudi Pro League spell
When Cristiano Ronaldo came to Al Nassr halfway through the 2022-23 season, the end of his bumper contract was the last thing in the minds of most people. But now the approaching end of his deal has left many questions about the Portuguese.
Ronaldo continued to score for the fun in the Saudi Pro League, but did not deliver the trophies on which his current club had hoped when he brought him in from Manchester United. It is time for the Riyadh side to stick or turn, and Ronaldos wages can seduce them to the last.
Of course the player himself is far from ready to retire. He remains part of the Portugal International Picture, misses only one competitive competition in the past 18 months and has a World Cup on the Horizon in 2026.
“I just want to enjoy. Plan for the retirement … If necessary, in one or two years … I don't know,” said Ronaldo in 2024. “I quickly get 40 … I really want to enjoy, as long as I feel motivated, I will continue. The day I don't feel motivated, I will retire”.
Where could he go if he already leaves Nassr? Mirror Football has viewed some of the options – both in Europe and further away.
Sporty CP
When signing for Al Nassr, Ronaldo indicated that he would not return to club football in Europe. “” I did my mission well in Europe and achieved everything. Now it's time for a new challenge in Asia, “he said.
However, the offer from a return to sport can change that. He was a teenager when he left his house in Madeira to become a member of the Lisbon club, and it is there that he made his senior debut.
Despite a dramatic slump When Ruben Amorim left for Manchester United, Sporting has obtained a return to the Champions League. The victory in their last league match will be award -winning champions, and a return for the lost son could cause a very interesting summer.
Al Ahli
If Ronaldo thinks he has settled in Saudi Arabia, Al Ahli is perhaps the solution. The side of Matthias Jaissle won the AFC Champions League elite this season and defeated the competition rivals Hilal on the way and will defend their title next season.
The Jeddah club probably also has room in their team for a big arrival in the summer. Roberto Firmino has had an up and down time at the club and is expected to return to Brazil.
A bigger problem is of course how Ronaldo could gel with Ivan Toney. The International of England has this period of topcores for the club, and a lot can depend on whether he thinks he should return to Europe to earn a chance to make the Thomas Tuchel World Cup – and whether he gives enough to do that.
Los Angeles FC
About Premier League stars of yesteryear spoken those goals droughts have endured in so-called 'lesser' competitions … Olivier Giroud came to Lafc from AC Milan last summer, but went 10 league matches without scoring in his first half season.
He opened his MLS account in April, after a few strikes in cup matches, but the return is probably a way briefly what the California Club would have expected from the raised player of the Frenchman-Packet of the player. If they can get the veteran out of their books, would another older statesman take his place?
Of course, the largest sales argument of a movement for Ronaldo is a chance to restore his one-off La Liga rivement with the Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, only this time about the Atlantic Ocean. It would not be exactly the same as in those Clasico years, but fans who were unable to see those competitions firsthand are perhaps satisfied to see the pale imitation.
Chelsea
A Premier League return for Ronaldo remains unlikely, and a third Manchester United Stint virtually impossible. However, if he would return to England, Chelsea might be brave or foolish enough to take the leap.
The transfer policy of the blues is primarily aimed at a younger profile of the player, but there have been a time in which a lack of experience told. If an almost 40-year-old Thiago Silva could do the work in the last term, why not a 40+ Ronaldo?
We would not even entertain the idea if Chelsea had a fixed and consistent front-line, but the cupboard looks rather bald if you eliminate Nicolas Jackson. A summer output for Christopher Nunku would free up a little space, making them ready to get in with someone and share leading tasks on Stamford Bridge.
Besiktas
Ronaldo's return to Manchester United In 2021, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came to the helm. It may be a long chance, but a reunion with the Norwegian boss in Besiktas could seduce Ronaldo this summer.
While Ronaldo found it harder to earn regular minutes under Erik ten Hag, he was the top scorer of United in that first season under Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. The top scorer of Besiktas this season, Ciro Immobile, only has a year left in his own deal and missed periods with hamstring problems earlier in the season, so the Super Ligclub can be tempted to see if the funds are there for Ronaldo.
There is of course the small issue of the Istanbul side that misses a top-two finish this period. Would Ronaldo return to Europe without the promise of Champions League football?