Cristiano Ronaldo has put an end to the rumors about his future by confirming that he will stay with Al Nassr.
His contract with the Saudi Pro League team will run out on June 30.
The captain of Portugal mentioned that he had been approached by clubs involved in the Club World Cup, but after winning the UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal on Sunday, he stated: “Future? Nothing will change. Al Nassr? Yes.”
Last month, Al Nassr’s sporting director Fernando Hierro said they were in talks with Ronaldo about extending his contract, but they were facing competition to keep the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Reports indicated that Ronaldo, who is 40 years old, received a tempting offer from an unnamed Brazilian club and was also on the radar of Al Nassr’s Saudi rivals, Al Hilal.
Just last month, Ronaldo suggested he might leave the club after their final match against Al Fateh, posting on social media: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written.”
Ronaldo joined the Saudi team in December 2022 after leaving Manchester United and has finished as the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League for two consecutive seasons.
He scored 25 goals in league play this season; however, Al Nassr ended up in third place and did not qualify for next season’s prestigious AFC Champions League.
Even though Ronaldo has scored 99 goals in 105 games for Al Nassr, he has not won many major trophies, only securing the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023 since joining.
However, he did celebrate his third title with Portugal on Sunday.
Ronaldo netted his 138th international goal, helping Portugal triumph over Spain 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 tie in the final match.
The former Real Madrid player had already led Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 Nations League.
“Winning for Portugal is always something special,” Ronaldo stated. “I have many titles with clubs, but nothing compares to winning for my country. It brings tears, a sense of duty fulfilled, and great joy.”
