Forward Cristiano Ronaldo may depart from the Saudi Arabian football club Al-Nassr, according to reports from Record.
On Monday, Ronaldo was omitted from the squad for the Saudi Pro League’s 20th-round match against Al-Riyadh, which Al-Nassr won 1-0. Media outlets previously suggested the Portuguese star boycotted the fixture due to dissatisfaction with the relatively low level of state funding directed towards his club compared to commercially backed rivals like Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli.
The source indicates that the player is contemplating a move, particularly following the transfer of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad over to Al-Hilal. Ronaldo perceives that his substantial contribution to Saudi Arabian football, which includes acting as the nation’s ambassador for the 2034 World Cup bid, is not being matched by equitable treatment of his current team.
It is noted that potential next steps in his career could involve a return to Europe or a switch to the North American Major League Soccer (MLS). The release clause for the forward, who turns 41 on February 5th, is set at 50 million euros.
Ronaldo is a five-time Ballon d’Or recipient. The Portuguese athlete holds the record for the most goals scored throughout the history of professional football (961). He has been representing Al-Nassr since 2023, during which period he has accumulated 111 goals across 127 appearances.
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