Cristiano Ronaldo has indicated that he will leave Al Nassr and possibly join the lucrative Saudi Pro League.
The 40-year-old Portugal striker made the announcement via his social media account on the platform X just hours after his team’s final game of the season.
The post’s title read, “The story,” and included a photo of him wearing an Al Nassr jersey. Still being written. grateful to everyone.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward’s future has now become a hot topic in the media.
Al Jazeera examines potential outcomes for a player who continues to be one of football’s most financially secure assets.
Ronaldo’s decision to leave Al Nassr
Ronaldo made a shock-inducing move by leaving Manchester United for Al Nassr in January 2023.
The Saudi Pro League needed the marquee signing to improve its reputation internationally thanks to the five-time world champion.
His lucrative two-and-a-half-year agreement, which is expected to be worth $200 million ($214.5 million), expires in June but was widely anticipated to be renewed.
Al Nassr finished third in the league this year, but they have failed to win any titles during Ronaldo’s time at the club. This is disappointing because they have missed out on places at both the Asian Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
They now have the best chance of winning a playoff spot in Asia’s Champions League Two.
The chapter has ended.
The narrative ? Still being written.
Thankful to everyone. pic. twitter.com/Vuvl5siEB3
Ronaldo’s eligibility for the FIFA Club World Cup is unknown.
Yes . A special transfer window has been set aside for the 32 clubs that compete in the Club World Cup.
Just before the tournament in the United States debuts on June 14, when Inter Miami takes on Al Ahly, will be held there from June 1 through June 10.
What did Ronaldo’s opponent at the Club World Cup look like, according to FIFA President Infantino?
Ronaldo’s participation in the expanded and rebranded tournament is being discussed, according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino last week.
Which FIFA Club World Cup teams might Ronaldo want to play for?
1. Real Madrid
Ronaldo joined the Spanish giants from Manchester United in 2009 for what was then a record-breaking 80 million euros ($91 million) fee.
Given the difficulties Los Blancos faced in figuring out how to make Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo fit into the front three as Real attempted to defend its Champions League and La Liga titles, it is unlikely even to make a temporary return to Real for the tournament.
It’s difficult to think of a Real return for Ronaldo because Jude Bellingham had to adapt to a new role already last season and Mbappe left from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Juventus, one of his former clubs at the time, at least giving fans the chance to make memories. Juventus are unlikely to want to upset the team that had already been invited to the tournament because such a move would only be temporary.
2. Inter Miami
The biggest statement would undoubtedly be a collaboration with Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s all-time best player, for the title of best player in the world.
In 2023, the Argentinian forward left Paris Saint-Germain to join the David Beckham-owned Major League Soccer (MLS) team.
Since Ronaldo had been linked with an MLS move prior to joining Al Nassr, it was a sensational score for Miami.
There would be no bigger headline-grabber than a pairing between two players who have each won the title of world player of the year on 13 occasions if Infantino and FIFA see Ronaldo’s participation in the Club World Cup as a boost to the competition.
When asked if Inter Miami might sign Ronaldo, Infantino laughed and said, “It’s possible.”
3. Al Hilal
Al Hilal, the Saudi Pro League champion from 2023 to 2024, is a strong candidate for Ronaldo’s signature both short and long term.
All parties will understand the decision. The Saudi domestic league’s marquee signing will continue to compete in the competition, compete in the Club World Cup, and be the spearhead of the country’s assault on the Asian Champions League championship in the coming year.
Ronaldo’s choice would mean continuing to reside in the country’s capital, where many of his current business and commercial interests are based.
Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates and Al Ahly from Egypt, who are also competing in the region’s regional competition, could compete for the African Champions League next year. The Saudi Pro League would undoubtedly prefer to avoid losing Ronaldo to a neighboring football team.
4. Botafogo
Ronaldo and the Brazilian megaclub Botafogo are in talks, according to a report from Marca last week.
Because they could possibly afford a short-term deal with Ronaldo, that news made sense at the time. That announcement, however, came before the player’s announcement that Al Nassr might have ended his relationship with him.
Despite its rich history and legacy, it seems unlikely to make a long-term move to Brazil. A move to a Club World Cup participant who wants a contract after the competition’s conclusion is a possibility, provided the short-term agreement is kept.
The top flight of Brazil will also be represented at the tournament by Palmeiras, Fluminense, and Flamengo.
5. Seattle Sounders
Signing a long-term deal with one of the US-based participants would probably be the best option for Ronaldo’s appearance at the Club World Cup, according to one of the choices.
Ronaldo’s signing would significantly improve the MLS, in the same way that the Saudi Pro League did to increase its exposure, whether it was on a match against Messi or in a match between the two players.
As part of a longer-term plan to establish himself as a MLS champion in the US, his move to the Seattle Sounders would also give his appearance more credibility.
Ronaldo and Messi could they play together?
If a potential Messi and Ronaldo pairing at the Club World Cup were to be planned, it would also be a huge talking point.
Messi prefers to play either on the right, cutting in with his famous left foot, or playing a deeper role through the middle, with the team circling him.
Ronaldo, who started out on the left, is now only able to move in the middle, preferring a more advanced position.
The viability of a potential partnership would be questioned if both scenarios worked, but both would lead to Messi making runs into Ronaldo’s field.
The pair’s long-running battle for the coveted Ballon d’Or title has long drawn ire from the public, making the annual ceremony to honor the world’s best player a frequently content affair.
With Messi and Ronaldo playing for Real Madrid and Messi for Barcelona, the two teams engaged in heated debate over who was the better player at their peak.
The pair frequently cryptically contributed to the conversation, but there was consistently no sign of love lost when the pair met on the field of play.
One of the biggest box office successes in football history would be the Club World Cup, which would also help to draw in much-needed interest.
Source: Aljazeera
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