Cristiano Ronaldo future: Al-Nassr forward drops major hint over future following final day defeat
Vargas (45+4′), Batna (81′), Machado Ferreira (90+6′)
Masoud (53′), Batna (83′), Saadane (90+3′), Machado Ferreira (90+7′)FT(HT: 1-1)Ronaldo (42′), Mane (75′)
Al-Sulaiheem (45+1′), Yahya (54′), Al-Najdi (79′)
- Preview
- Data Analysis
- Lineups
- Reaction
Football Cristiano Ronaldo future: Al-Nassr forward drops major hint over future following final day defeat © Imago Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo drops a major hint over his future following Monday’s 3-2 defeat to Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has dropped a major hint that he is set to leave the Saudi Pro League side following the 3-2 defeat to Al Fateh.
Ronaldo wore the captain’s armband for Al-Nassr’s final game of the Saudi Pro League season against Al Fateh on Monday.
The Portugal international netted a 42nd-minute opener before his effort was quickly cancelled out by Matias Vargas.
Sadio Mane restored Al-Nassr’s advantage in the second period, but Al Fateh staged a late turnaround to net two goals to snatch a 3-2 victory.
The defeat ensured third-placed Al-Nassr finished five points adrift of the top two, as they missed out on qualification for the AFC Champions League.
View this post on Instagram
Ronaldo appears to confirm Al-Nassr exit
Ronaldo took to social media following the loss to drop a major hint that he will not extend his contract, which is set to expire at the end of June.
In a post on Instagram, Ronaldo wrote: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”
Ronaldo appears to be on the verge of leaving Al-Nassr after scoring 93 goals and providing 18 assists in 105 competitive appearances.
However, the forward may be disappointed with the fact that he has only won one trophy in his time with the Saudi Pro League club, collecting the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
Where could Ronaldo go next?
Ronaldo’s social media update suggests that he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet, with the 40-year-old likely to have one eye on next summer’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been linked with a move to Brazil or to the MLS, while Sporting Lisbon could also be an option if Ronaldo wants to return to his first club.
Ronaldo could join one of the 32 teams competing in the Club World Cup this summer after FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently claimed that the Portuguese forward could appear in the tournament.
“Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup, there are discussions,” Infantino said in a recent interview.
Away from his club future, Ronaldo will be looking ahead to Portugal’s upcoming UEFA Nations League semi-final clash against Germany on June 4.
The winner of the tie will go on to face either Spain or France in the final on June 8, while the loser will have to settle for a third-place playoff.