It is official: Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new two-year deal that will see him stay at Al-Nassr until beyond his 42nd birthday.
There were several rumours linking the Portugal legend with a move back to Europe but he will remain in Saudi Arabia for the time being.
*Article below was published in May 2025*
With Cristiano Ronaldo out of contract at Al-Nassr in July, we look at some of the potential landing spots for the Portuguese star.
Ronaldo joined the Saudi Arabian club in January 2023 but it looks like he will move on this summer, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner posting a cryptic message following Al Nassr’s final game of the season, writing: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”
Al-Nassr slumped to a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Al-Fateh in the final game of the season, a result that meant Ronaldo’s club finished third in the Saudi Pro League this campaign.
With football betting markets now forming on CR7’s next club, we take a look at what the future may hold for him and if he may even end up playing at next month’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Al-Hilal
The only Saudi Arabian side set to compete in the United States this summer, Al-Hilal have several former Premier League stars on their roster including the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Joao Cancelo.
Several reports claim that Ronaldo is in talks with the Saudi Pro League giants, with one local media outlet suggesting that Al-Hilal have agreed a deal to sign the 40-year-old.
Like Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal are backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and are based in Riyadh so this would be a simple enough switch for both Ronaldo and his family.
Football fans around the world will be hoping to see CR7 in action at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer and Al-Hilal’s participation may tempt him to consider a local switch.
Inter Miami
The Cristiano Ronaldo v Lionel Messi debate has been one of football’s great talking points over the past two decades and it would be some sight to see both players lining up on the same team this summer.
Inter Miami have attracted some of the sport’s biggest names under David Beckham’s ownership, with the likes of Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in the squad and the legendary Javier Mascherano in the dugout.
Ronaldo, a key figure at Real Madrid for so many years, went toe-to-toe with the former Barcelona quintet on multiple occasions and it would be some story if he was to team up with them at Inter Miami.
Financially, it could work as Miami only have two designated players on their roster and Major League Soccer teams are allowed up to three stars who count outside the salary cap. For years, it felt like a game console would be the only way to get Ronaldo and Messi on the same team but it now looks a genuine possibility…
Sporting Lisbon
It would be the dream ending for football romantics if Ronaldo was to return to boyhood club Sporting Lisbon for one final season, with CR7 working his way up through the Sporting academy during his younger years.
He spent just one season in the first team before departing for Manchester United and sports betting markets have a fairy tale reunion as one of the more likely options in Ronaldo next club odds at this stage.
With striker Viktor Gyokeres expected to leave the Portuguese giants this summer, the starting role in attack may be open and Ronaldo has never won the domestic title in his homeland – further adding to the appeal of a Sporting switch.
Salary may be the main problem here but Ronaldo has spoken openly about his aspirations to reach the 1,000 career goals mark and he also wishes to play at the 2026 World Cup so this may be the best fit logistically.
Throw in the fact that Ronaldo’s mother has expressed her wish to see him play in Portugal’s Primeira Liga once again and we have the hallmarks for a romantic return. Putting emotions aside, however, it seems an unlikely option at this stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo Next Club Rumours:
There is plenty of discussion regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s club after the summer transfer window and it’ll be interesting to see whether the 40-year-old stays in Saudi Arabia or considers a return to one of Europe’s top clubs.
Keep an eye out for the latest transfer news and reports with William Hill and odds on Ronaldo’s next club may be available in the near future.
