Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly considering leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in the summer, with a return to Europe or a move to the MLS considered potential options.
The 40-year-old, who, on a contract worth £488,000 per day, is the highest-paid footballer in history, began a strike earlier this week.
Ronaldo is claimed to unhappy with the manner in which Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is handling Al-Nassr’s finances, particularly in comparison to how they are treating rival clubs.
The PIF controls a 75 per cent stake in four Saudi Pro League clubs — Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr — and has been the driving force behind the league’s ability to attract some of world football’s biggest names on lucrative contracts.
Al-Hilal completed the signing of Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema on Monday, moving from fellow Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
Al-Hilal are currently one point clear of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, with the veteran Portuguese star said to believe his club have not been treated fairly in the transfer market.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly considering leaving Saudi Arabia in the summer after launching an apparent strike at Al-Nassr
The football legend believes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is not treating Al-Nassr equally in the transfer market compared to Simone Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal (above), Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli
Al-Hilal were further strengthened on Monday with the signing of his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema, left
Ronaldo reportedly claims Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has not received adequate reinforcements compared to their rivals, despite Benzema’s move being funded by outside investors rather than the PIF.
Ronaldo launched an apparent strike on Monday, with the forward absent from Al-Nassr’s 1-0 win over Al Riyadh.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Ronaldo’s frustration has led to him considering leaving Al-Nassr in the summer.
The report claims Ronaldo has a £43million (€50m) release clause, with the veteran having 18 months to run on a two-year deal he signed last summer.
It remains to be seen whether any club would look to trigger the release clause, given Ronaldo is set to turn 41 on Thursday.
It is claimed that a return to Europe or a move to the MLS could be possible options for Ronaldo.
In December, Ronaldo hinted at a possible return to Europe as he reiterated his ambition to reach 1,000 career goals.
Speaking at an awards ceremony in Dubai, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward said he was determined to ‘keep going’ at the top level.
Ronaldo is now claimed to be considering an exit with a move to Europe or the MLS considered possible options
Ronaldo has a reported £43m release clause in his contract, but it remains to be seen whether a club would look to trigger it given the veteran forward turns 41 on Thursday
‘My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe,’ Ronaldo said.
‘I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going. I will reach the number (1000 goals) for sure, if no injuries.’
The Portuguese icon scored his 961st career goal during Al-Nassr’s 3-0 win over Al-Kholood last Friday.
A move would mark a shift from Ronaldo, who had claimed in 2023 that ‘Europe lost a lot of quality’ with only the Premier League considered ‘one of the best’ in his eyes.
He was also disparaging of the MLS in the same interview, which came after his rival Lionel Messi had moved to Inter Miami.
‘The USA? No, the Saudi championship is much better than the USA,’ Ronaldo had said.
Ronaldo’s frustrations in Saudi Arabia came with Al-Nassr having only signed 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem during the January window.
Al-Hilal have lured Spanish centre back Pablo Mari for £1.7m and spent a further £26m on Rennes forward Kader Meite, as well as signing Benzema.
Last month, Al-Nassr manager Jesus called out the financial inequality and argued that Al-Nassr ‘does not have the political power of Al-Hilal’, a team he previously managed.
His explosive remarks prompted Al-Hilal to request that the Saudi Pro League suspend Jesus for between six months and a year.
