Ronaldo’s Future: A Move to Hollywood or Staying in Saudi Arabia?

Speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential transfer to North America ahead of the 2026 World Cup continues to circulate. However, Dr. Rob Wilson, a Professor of Applied Sport Finance at UCFB, argues that such a move would be ill-advised from both sporting and financial perspectives. He points out that Ronaldo has become deeply embedded in the Middle East, and a conventional transfer could harm his brand.

Wilson highlights a compelling alternative: the possibility of leveraging Ronaldo’s fame for a second career in entertainment. He believes that while a football-related transfer may not make sense, transitioning to the U.S. for a foray into cinema could prove to be a strategic masterstroke. “If Ronaldo could enter Hollywood, it would be a different scenario,” Wilson noted, contrasting this path with a typical transfer. He emphasizes that iconic stars in film often command larger earnings than their sports counterparts, making such a move intriguing.

Should Hollywood not be the objective, Wilson firmly states that Ronaldo should remain in Saudi Arabia. He warns that leaving Al-Nassr for anything less than a transformative career shift could jeopardize his commercial standing. Ronaldo has become synonymous with the Saudi sporting initiative, and his brand is now integral to the region’s development.

Attempting to exit solely for a short-term football boost could backfire, alienating a fanbase that has embraced him as a key figure. The Saudi leadership views Ronaldo as essential to their long-term strategy, and abandoning this commitment could be perceived as a betrayal. “He is now so entrenched in Saudi Arabia that he must tread carefully,” Wilson explained. “If he engineered a move that failed, he risks losing his brand recognition in the Middle East, where he may be seen as solely motivated by financial gain.”

While a short-term financial incentive may exist in a move to Major League Soccer (MLS), Wilson believes it would not contribute to Ronaldo’s long-term brand growth, leading him to likely remain in Saudi Arabia.

With San Diego FC now part of the MLS, Wilson suggests that a transition to this Western Conference team could be viable. “Ronaldo is astute; if he could move to California, score some goals with San Diego, and then transition into Hollywood blockbusters, that could justify leaving Saudi Arabia,” he remarked.

The idea of Ronaldo joining Lionel Messi in MLS remains a fantasy for many marketers, especially with the World Cup approaching. However, Wilson contends that the current separation between the two legends—Messi in Miami and Ronaldo in Riyadh—actually supports their commercial interests more than a nostalgic reunion would. He believes that bringing them together at this juncture would yield diminishing returns; while the initial excitement would be substantial, it would likely overshadow the individual legacy Ronaldo is working to establish in the Middle East.

“The separation between Messi and Ronaldo has been beneficial,” Wilson observed. “While a reunion in MLS would be a spectacle, its transient nature could harm Ronaldo’s career.”

Ultimately, the passage of time may dictate Ronaldo’s future decisions. Wilson notes that had Ronaldo contemplated this move “two or three years ago,” the prospects for success in the U.S. would have been significantly greater. Now, as he approaches his 40s, he is “clinging on” to his professional career, leaving limited time to cultivate a new legacy in the U.S. comparable to his achievements elsewhere.

“He is viewed as a priority investment in the Middle East after significant financial commitments have been made, making it difficult for him to depart if he chooses to remain there,” Wilson concluded. “He simply does not have enough time left to establish a comparable legacy in the States.”

Unless Ronaldo is prepared to exchange the football pitch for the silver screen, it seems prudent for him to conclude his illustrious career exactly where he is.