When Cristiano Ronaldo shared a mysterious message on Instagram saying, “this chapter is over,” many fans immediately jumped to the conclusion that his time in Saudi Arabia was coming to an end.
After all, the Portuguese superstar’s contract with Al-Nassr officially expires on June 30, and rumors about his next move quickly began to swirl.
The Contract Drama and New Deals
Before that cryptic post, Ronaldo was reportedly close to signing a huge new contract reportedly worth £167 million per year.
That’s an eye-watering figure that shows just how much the club values him.
But with his Instagram message causing a stir, speculation grew: would he stay or would he go?
Since then, Ronaldo’s name has been linked to a bunch of clubs—his old club Sporting Lisbon, some teams in Major League Soccer (MLS), Brazil, Turkey, and even other Saudi Arabian sides.
It seemed like the football world was buzzing about where he might land next.
Al-Nassr’s Confidence: Ronaldo Is Staying
Despite all the chatter, French news outlet Foot Mercato dropped a bombshell: Ronaldo has actually signed a new contract to stay with Al-Nassr.
The club itself appeared confident too.
On Thursday, Al-Nassr’s sporting director Fernando Hierro spoke at a press conference and made it clear he expects Ronaldo to remain.
Hierro said, “I have to be positive. I don’t think Ronaldo will leave Al-Nassr. We are working hard on all aspects.”
He also acknowledged the huge interest from other clubs but emphasized the importance of keeping Ronaldo, describing him as a “huge phenomenon” who has helped grow the league.
“We are in contact to renew his contract and hope he continues with us,” Hierro added.
What About the Club World Cup?
Adding to the uncertainty, FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently hinted that Ronaldo could appear at the upcoming Club World Cup—but not with Al-Nassr, since they aren’t participating.
This led to speculation Ronaldo might move temporarily or even transfer to a different team just for the tournament.
Infantino said, “There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup… who knows, who knows.”
However, with the latest news pointing to Ronaldo staying at Al-Nassr, it seems likely he will miss out on this new FIFA event.
Ronaldo’s Impact in Saudi Arabia So Far
Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo has been nothing short of prolific, scoring 93 goals in 105 games.
He helped the club win the Arab Champions Cup in 2023, but a Saudi Pro League title or King’s Cup trophy has so far eluded him.
What’s Next for Ronaldo?
For now, the superstar seems set to stay at Al-Nassr, continuing his remarkable career in Saudi Arabia.
But with so many rumors flying and big tournaments coming up, the football world will definitely be watching closely to see if this chapter really is over—or if Ronaldo is just starting a new one.