Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Al-Nassr is reportedly set be announced on Thursday, with the Saudi Arabian side eyeing up a Liverpool star as his replacement.
Ronaldo set pulses racing in boardrooms across the globe on Monday as he told his social media followers that ‘this chapter is over,’ appearing to hint at an exit.
The forward’s next steps are unclear, but it has been speculated that he could land in the MLS, Brazil, Turkey, at Sporting Lisbon, or elsewhere in Saudi Arabia.
He is said to have been close to agreeing terms on a new £167million-per-year deal with Al-Nassr but has baulked at committing his future and his contract is expiring.
For all of his personal success in the Middle East – Ronaldo has banged in 99 goals for Al-Nassr since 2023 – his existence there has lacked one fundamental marker: silverware. The Arab Club Champions Cup does not count as a major trophy.
Now Spanish outlet Marca reports that Ronaldo’s departure will be confirmed immintently in a press conference held by the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Al-Nassr is reportedly set to be announced on Thursday
The forward’s contract is expiring and he has strongly hinted at an exit on social media
Al-Nassr are said to be eyeing up Liverpool title-winner Luis Diaz as his replacement
Meanwhile, talkSPORT claims that Al-Nassr wish to cast their net into the Premier League and fish out a certain Luis Diaz.
Liverpool star Diaz, whose contract expires in 2027, is reported to be their top target.
The winger has blown hot and cold in his Premier League-winning season, ultimately scoring 17 goals but enduring long dry spells.
Ronaldo, 40, is determined to reach 1,000 senior career goals, a total which may still require two or three seasons of regular scoring to smash as he currently has 936.
There is speculation that he could join Al-Nassr’s Saudi rivals Al-Hilal, who will be participating in the revamped Club World Cup.
Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino sent tongues wagging when he claimed that Ronaldo could play at the revamped competition this summer – despite Al-Nassr not qualifying.
‘Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup,’ Infantino said. ‘There are discussions.’
‘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.’
Ronaldo, 40, has been prolific in Saudi Arabia but has no major silverware to show for it
He posted a cryptic statement to his account on X, formerly Twitter
FIFA president Gianni Infantino boldly claimed Ronaldo could play at the Club World Cup
Then, earlier this week, the cryptic social media post from Ronaldo which appeared to indicate his time in Riyadh was up.
‘This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all,’ Ronaldo wrote on his X account after Al-Nassr finished third in the league.
Marca recently reported that an unnamed Brazilian club had tabled an offer to Ronaldo.
Botafogo are one of four Brazilian sides to have qualified for the Club World Cup, and their coach Renato Paiva appeared open to the swoop.
He told reporters: ‘Christmas is only in December. But if he came, you can’t say no to a star like that. I don’t know anything – I’m just answering the question.
‘But, as I said, coaches always want the best. Ronaldo, even at his age, is still a goal-scoring machine. In a team that creates chance after chance, he would be good.’
