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What next for Ronaldo: Stay or a Possible Homecoming?

  • Writer: Mayank Srivastava
    Mayank Srivastava
  • Jan 12
  • 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League
Cristiano Ronaldo could be looking at his options as a return Europe seems possible

Cristiano Ronaldo and his future with the beautiful game has been a topic of discussion in this January transfer window as the Portuguese superstar is nearing the end of his contract with Al-Nassr. Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in the January window of the 2023/24 season, signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Saudi giants for a deal worth $400 million.


Even at the age of 39, Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong. He ended the 2024 calendar year with 43 goals for club and country after having finished as the top scorer across the world in 2023, scoring an impressive 54 goals. His incredible performance also won him the SPL Golden Boot award for the 2023/24 season. Even though the numbers justify Ronaldo’s impact at Al-Nassr, the criticism that arises is regarding his failed attempts at winning major titles for Al-Nassr over the course of his stay so far. 


Nassr finished in 2nd place in 2022/23 and also in the 2023/24 season of the Saudi Pro League, losing to their arch-rivals Al-Hilal on both occasions. They were dismayed after a disappointing exit in the AFC Champions League Elite last season after getting knocked out in the quarter-finals by Al-Ain. Cristiano Ronaldo has had a great start to the new season, having already scored 11 goals and provided 2 assists in just 14 games. These strong performances have reportedly attracted multiple interests, adding more mystery to the speculation regarding the great man’s future.


Is homecoming on the cards for CR7?


Sporting Lisbon were the first stepping stone in the illustrious career of the great man, with the Portugal captain joining the club’s academy at the age of just 12. A young Cristiano Ronaldo played 31 games for Sporting’s senior team, having a G/A of 9. His connection with the club is soaked in his early roots with the game that he has now conquered. Multiple sources have indicated a possible move back to Sporting Lisbon for Ronaldo, with the player’s agent having presented a deal to multiple European clubs, including CR7’s boyhood club, Sporting Lisbon.


With Viktor Gyökeres, Sporting’s star striker, being heavily linked for a possible move to Manchester United in the summer, the Portuguese giants would have started looking for potential replacements. Gyökeres has been stunning for Sporting, scoring 63 goals in 2024 for club and country; therefore, replacing him would be a challenging task. However, what is better than replacing the great with the greatest? Even though it would be an absolute treat for the fans to see their hero return, a move to Sporting seems unlikely at this point in time, despite CR7’s strong displays in Saudi Arabia, as the striker will be turning 40 next month.


What has Ronaldo said about his future?


From the looks of it, it is likely that CR7 will extend his stay with Al-Nassr, as he has stated his “happiness” at living and playing in Saudi Arabia. According to Fabrizio Romano, Ronaldo spoke out on his future by saying, “I’m happy in Saudi and my family is happy. We started a new life in this beautiful country”. He further added,” Work hard, respect the club, respect your contract and believe that things will change – for Al Nassr to try to win more titles.”(sic)


Nassr are currently in 3rd place in the SPL points table with 28 points, trailing the leaders Al-Ittihad by 8 points. They are also in 3rd place in the AFC Champions League Group B. With Ronaldo nearing the end of his initial deal, the challenge of winning these two prestigious titles still remains due for him. Family’s happiness and the hunger to win titles appear to be more-than-enough reasons for CR7 to extend his stay with Al-Nassr. The record-breaker will next be seen in the SPL match between Al-Nassr and Al-Taawoun on 17th January, as CR7 and co. look to close the gap between them and the league leaders, Al-Ittihad



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