AFCON 2025
If Cristiano Ronaldo does exit Al Nassr, could he play with Miami’s Lionel Messi or another team at the FIFA Club World Cup, or could he return to Portugal?
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Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at a potential exit from Al Nassr, signaling the end of his high-profile stint in the Saudi Pro League.
The 40-year-old Portuguese star posted on X, “This chapter is over,” just hours after Al Nassr’s final match of the season.
Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr from Manchester United in January 2023 stunned the football world, marking him as the marquee signing to boost the Saudi Pro League’s global profile.
His lucrative two-and-a-half-year contract, reportedly worth €200 million ($214.5m), is set to expire in June 2025, though many expected an extension.
Despite his individual brilliance, Al Nassr failed to secure any major trophies during his tenure. The club finished third in the league this season, missing out on qualification for both the FIFA Club World Cup and the Asian Champions League.
However, CR7 could still feature in the FIFA Club World Cup, as the 32 participating teams have a special transfer window from June 1-10, 2025, just before the tournament kicks off in the United States on June 14 with Inter Miami facing Al Ahly.
As speculation swirls about his next move, several clubs stand out as potential destinations:
Sporting CP: A return to his boyhood club in Portugal could be a poetic way for Ronaldo to close out his illustrious career, fulfilling a sentimental dream for fans and the player alike.
Inter Miami: Joining forces with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami for the FIFA Club World Cup could create one of the most captivating storylines in football history, uniting two legends in a high-stakes global tournament.
Al Hilal: Staying in Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal, a dominant force in the region, makes strategic sense. It would keep Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, offering him a chance to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup and the Asian Champions League while continuing his pursuit of silverware.
