Cristiano Ronaldo had fans buzzing earlier this week after he dropped a mysterious post on Instagram that read, “This chapter is over.”
Naturally, speculation exploded. Was the football icon finally calling time on his Saudi Arabian adventure with Al-Nassr?
Despite the cryptic message, new reports suggest that Ronaldo isn’t going anywhere just yet.
Instagram Post Raises Eyebrows Ahead of Contract Expiry
The timing of Ronaldo’s message raised plenty of eyebrows.
His current deal with Al-Nassr is set to expire on June 30, and up until recently, he was said to be close to signing a fresh contract reportedly worth £167 million per year.
But that Instagram post on Monday sent social media into a frenzy.
Fans started linking him with all sorts of possible moves – a dramatic return to Sporting Lisbon, a high-profile switch to MLS, or even fresh challenges in Brazil, Turkey, or elsewhere in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Nassr Confident Ronaldo Will Stay
Despite the noise, French outlet Foot Mercato claims Ronaldo has actually already signed an extension with Al-Nassr.
And on Thursday, the club itself echoed that confidence in a press conference.
Al-Nassr’s sporting director Fernando Hierro didn’t seem too rattled by the speculation.
“I have to be positive,” he said. “I don’t think Ronaldo will leave Al-Nassr.”
Hierro went on to stress that the club is doing everything it can to renew Ronaldo’s deal, praising him as a “phenomenon in football history” and acknowledging the massive impact he’s had on the Saudi league’s growth.
FIFA’s Infantino Fuels Rumors with Club World Cup Tease
Adding more fuel to the transfer rumors was FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who hinted last week that Ronaldo might be in the mix for the Club World Cup – even though Al-Nassr didn’t qualify.
“There are discussions,” Infantino said cryptically.
“If any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup… who knows?”
That only added to the growing belief that Ronaldo could be on the move – at least temporarily.
Staying Might Mean Missing the Club World Cup
If the latest reports are accurate and Ronaldo has committed to staying at Al-Nassr, that likely means he’ll miss out on FIFA’s new Club World Cup format – at least for now.
Still, there’s plenty to focus on in Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo continues to perform at a high level.
Ronaldo’s Saudi Stats: Still Going Strong at 40
Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, the 40-year-old has been nothing short of prolific.
He’s bagged 93 goals in 105 appearances, helping his team win the Arab Champions Cup in 2023.
However, major domestic trophies like the Saudi Pro League title and the King’s Cup have so far eluded him.
That might just be the motivation he needs to stick around and add a few more trophies to his name before he considers another move.