Cristiano Ronaldo recently added fuel to the ongoing speculation about his future, and the uncertainty surrounding the Portuguese superstar has taken another turn.
Al Nassr’s sporting director Fernando Hierro has confirmed that the club is making a strong push to keep Ronaldo, saying they’re doing everything they can to retain the legendary forward.
In an official statement released by Al Nassr on Thursday, Hierro said talks are actively underway regarding a contract extension.
“We are in talks with Cristiano… and we truly hope he stays with us at Al Nassr.”
“Cristiano’s presence here has been part of a national-level plan from the very beginning. He’s a massive phenomenon in football history, and he has played a huge role in the rise of the Saudi league.”
Ronaldo joined the Saudi club in December 2022 after closing the chapter on European football. His arrival in Riyadh made global headlines and brought unprecedented attention to the previously little-known Saudi Pro League. Although he hasn’t lifted a trophy with Al Nassr yet, the former Real Madrid star has continued to shine with his individual performances.
That groundbreaking $200 million-a-year deal he signed is set to expire this June. With no new deal announced so far, rumors of a potential departure have been growing.
Adding more intrigue, FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently hinted—on at least two occasions—that Ronaldo might feature in the upcoming 32-team Club World Cup. That fueled speculation about a possible move and brought up a list of potential suitors.
Hierro even seemed to joke about the rumors.
“Every day there’s a new club name in the media. Nearly 30 clubs are reportedly interested in Ronaldo… but we hope he stays here.”
Ronaldo himself stirred the pot after Al Nassr’s 3-2 loss to Al Fateh last Monday. Following the match, he posted a cryptic message on social media:
“This chapter is over. But the story? Still being written. Grateful to everyone.”
Those words—“this chapter is over”—sparked fresh debate, with many assuming his time at Al Nassr was coming to an end. However, with Hierro’s latest remarks, Ronaldo fans can stay optimistic that the man with 936 career goals might still be part of Saudi football for a while longer.
