Al Nassr Vooruit Cristiano Ronaldo could be set for a last-minute transfer to play in the club World Cup next month.
The new extensive FIFA tournament of 32 teams starts on 15 June in Miami.
Ronaldo's great rival Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami and will appear in the opening match against Al Ahly SC of Egypt.
Playing Ronaldo would be an important boost for the organizers – and ticket sales – for the controversial monthly tournament.
Various sources have confirmed that conversations have been held about Ronaldo who plays in the United States, but they did not want to comment on the record.
The new format is held every four years, so at the age of 40 this seems Ronaldo's last chance to play in it.
Ronaldo hinted that he left Nassr last night after their last game of the Saudi Pro League season.
In a cryptic message about X he wrote: “The chapter is over. The story? Still written. All grateful”.
Al Nassr does not play in the World Cup Club, but their Riyad rivals already represent Saudi -Arabia and they are accompanied by two by Ronaldo's former clubs, Real Madrid and Juventus. The Real Madrid opening match is against Al Hilal in Miami on June 18.
Ronaldos Al Nassr contract, which is assumed to be worth more than £ 170 million a year, ends at the end of next month.
Ronaldo could use the special transfer window between 1-10 June to draw FIFA to draw for a new club.
Clubs can also use a registration period in the tournament of 27 June – 3 July (after the group phases) to add players to their squadrons.
The Brazilian club Botafogo, which became champion of South America in December, are reportedly prepared to sign Ronaldo with a short-term contract. They are in group B with Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Seattle Sounders.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in an interview last week that conversations were held in the United States in the United States next month.
“Ronaldo can also play for one of the teams at the club's World Cup,” said Infantino. “There are discussions with some clubs, so if a club watches and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the club World Cup … who knows, who knows?”