Cristiano Ronaldo has dropped a major hint that his time at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr is coming to an end, posting a cryptic farewell message on social media after their final game of the season. The 40-year-old Portuguese star, who joined Al-Nassr in January 2023 on a record-breaking deal, is set to be out of contract next month.
Ronaldo scored the opening goal — the 800th club goal of his career — in Al-Nassr’s 3-2 loss to Al-Fateh, a result that saw his team finish third in the Saudi Pro League. After the game, he posted on X (formerly Twitter): “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”
The message has sparked widespread speculation about Ronaldo’s next move — with growing rumours linking him to a potential short-term switch to participate in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off in the United States on 15 June.
A New Chapter at the Club World Cup?
Al-Nassr’s third-place finish in the league means they did not qualify for the expanded Club World Cup, which will feature 32 teams in a new format. However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently stirred excitement by suggesting Ronaldo could still appear in the competition.
Speaking in a conversation with popular streamer IShowSpeed, Infantino said: “Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup. 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?”
FIFA has allowed a special 10-day transfer window from 1 to 10 June for participating clubs to register new players specifically for the tournament, further fuelling the possibility of a short-term Ronaldo signing.
Who Could Afford Ronaldo?
Despite being in the twilight of his career, Ronaldo remains one of the biggest names in global football. When he signed for Al-Nassr in 2023, it was reported to be the most lucrative contract in football history — worth a staggering £177 million per year.
While only a handful of clubs globally could afford even a short-term contract for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, reports suggest he may be open to a brief stint purely for the Club World Cup before reassessing his long-term future.
Spanish newspaper Marca reported last week that a Brazilian club had made an official offer to sign Ronaldo. Botafogo — one of four Brazilian clubs competing in the tournament — have been widely linked with a possible move for the veteran forward.
Botafogo manager Renato Paiva addressed the speculation in a press conference: “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.”
Club World Cup a New Era for FIFA
This year’s Club World Cup represents a significant moment for FIFA. It will be the first edition held in the summer, with 63 matches played across 12 stadiums in the U.S., culminating in the final at the MetLife Stadium on 13 July.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are among the headline teams set to participate, opening the tournament against Egyptian giants Al-Ahly. Yet despite the star-studded line-up, general sale tickets remain available for most matches — indicating that Ronaldo’s possible participation could provide a major commercial and publicity boost.
As Ronaldo’s post-Al-Nassr future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the global football world is watching closely. Whether it’s a fairytale cameo in the Club World Cup or a longer-term move, the next chapter of Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary career is still being written.
