Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram post left little to the imagination. “This chapter is over,” he said. “The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”
This declaration to his 654 million followers is more than just a heavy indication the 40-year-old wants to leave Al-Nassr this summer.
It raises the simple question of what next, but the why adds a layer of intrigue, particularly with Fifa president Gianni Infantino taking a vested interest ahead of this summer’s controversial Club World Cup.
With ticket sales flailing, Infantino wants another poster boy for the 32-team tournament in the USA, and there is even a way Ronaldo can feature before considering his longer-term future. How convenient. But first…
What is Ronaldo’s Saudi legacy if he leaves?
Ronaldo was a marquee signing for the Saudi Pro League when joining Al-Nassr as a free agent on 30 December 2022.
The reported £177m-a-year salary was enough to tempt a 37-year-old Ronaldo away from Europe for the first time in his career, with Al-Nassr declaring the move “history in the making”.
Ronaldo certainly helped put the league on the global map, paving the way for more megastars to join – Neymar and Karim Benzema – and lure ageing Premier League players like N’Golo Kante, Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson as well.
Individually, Ronaldo won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in his two full seasons there, and as a team Al-Nassr won silverware within six months of the forward joining, lifting the Arab Club Champions Cup.
That however is where Ronaldo’s list of Saudi honours ends. Al-Nassr last won the league in 2019 and his goals were not enough to get them back on top. They finished second in his first half-season, second again in 2023-24, then third this season.
In this regard, Ronaldo masterminded his own near misses. The fact Al-Nassr were third best this year was no surprise, with champions Al-Ittihad boasting Benzema and Kante, as well as Fabinho (ex-Liverpool), Houssem Aouar (ex-Lyon), Moussa Diaby (ex-Aston Villa) and Steven Bergwijn (ex-Tottenham).
Ronaldo’s legacy is therefore evident across the league. Without making that leap two-and-a-half years ago, it is unlikely so many would have followed.
Why Infantino is invested in Ronaldo’s next move
In a very 2025 sentence, Infantino discussed Ronaldo’s potential move with YouTuber IShowSpeed last week.
“Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup,” Infantino said. “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, who knows?”
Infantino counts the new-look Club World Cup as his brainchild, so it is little wonder the Fifa president wants Ronaldo there, particularly as thousands of tickets are still available and the prospect of half-empty stadia across the US looks likely.
After all, the lure of Lionel Messi – whose Inter Miami open the tournament against Egyptian side Al-Ahly on 14 June – can only do so much.
As hosts, Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, are fortunate additions despite Infantino calling them “one of the best clubs in the world” – side note: they’re not – but Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr were not so lucky, missing out on the Asian Football Confederation’s four spots.
Which club could Ronaldo join next?
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr contract expires at the end of June, but he could yet sign a short-term deal for a Club World Cup team because there is a 10-day transfer window open from 1-10 June.
Botafogo are one of four Brazilian sides in the Club World Cup and have reportedly shown an interest, while he is also being linked heavily with Moroccan side Wydad and Mexican outfit Monterrey, employers of his former Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos.
Porto and Benfica are the two Portuguese teams competing, but as a graduate of Sporting’s academy, Ronaldo has no real link to those rival clubs beyond the home country narrative.
If Ronaldo wants to sample life in the US, teaming up with Messi is doubtful, but Seattle Sounders are in the Club World Cup, while Los Angeles FC are in a play-off against Mexican side America on 31 May for a place in the group stages.
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Ronaldo in Hollywood has a ring to it, but a move closer to his current home could also happen. Al-Hilal are the only Saudi side in the Club World Cup, and as 2023-24 league champions they could tempt Ronaldo into staying with them beyond the summer.
There are 10 more European teams in the Club World Cup beyond Benfica and Porto. Chelsea sit in the maybe category, but Manchester City surely not.
Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Juventus and RB Salzburg are unlikely to want Ronaldo beyond the tournament, and may see little value in the month-long hullaballoo his transfer would bring.
Ronaldo’s most likely options
Qualify for the Club World Cup and Los Angeles FC has potential, especially with the 2026 World Cup in North America.
It could though come down to whether Ronaldo wants to move twice this summer – if at all – as Al-Nassr could yet convince him to stay.
Al-Hilal have the financial might as well as the Club World Cup factor, while beyond that tournament, a last dance with Sporting is entirely possible and romantic, especially if Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres leaves this summer.
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