Ronaldo’s Tenure at Al-Nassr: Prospects and Challenges Ahead

Cristiano Ronaldo became the most prominent player to join the lucrative Saudi Pro League in 2023 when he signed with Al-Nassr following the termination of his contract with Manchester United. Since his arrival, the Portuguese international has maintained a remarkable goal-scoring record in the Middle East, yet he has only secured one trophy, the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, during his time at the club.

Currently, Al-Nassr is well-positioned in the title race, trailing leaders Al-Hilal by just one point after 19 matches. However, recent developments have reportedly left Ronaldo feeling disappointed, particularly after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund facilitated a transfer from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal for striker Karim Benzema. Ronaldo perceives this move as a boost for his title rivals at a time when he believes Al-Nassr should have received additional support.

Amid growing speculation about his future, there are even discussions surrounding a potential third stint with Manchester United. Ronaldo rose to global superstardom during his initial tenure at Old Trafford, winning numerous trophies, including the Premier League and the Champions League, and earning his first Ballon d’Or.

His legendary career continued with a move to Real Madrid, where he became the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer, netting 450 goals in 438 appearances, before spending three seasons at Juventus in Italy.

In 2021, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer re-signed Ronaldo with hopes of mounting a title challenge. Ronaldo delivered, scoring 24 goals in 38 matches across all competitions. However, following Solskjaer’s sacking and the appointment of Erik ten Hag, conflicts arose, leading to Ronaldo’s dramatic departure to Al-Nassr.

Former teammate Wes Brown recently shared his thoughts on the possibility of Ronaldo returning to Manchester United. In an interview with BettingLounge, Brown stated, “He’s not happy, but would Cristiano Ronaldo come back to Manchester United for a third time? I would say no. I can’t see how that could happen. A move to MLS? Perhaps. Maybe he goes back to Portugal and plays there. I’m sure he will have many options.

“The main concern is that he still wants to participate in the World Cup, which requires him to stay fit and active. It’s surprising to see Ronaldo on strike, but I believe it will eventually resolve itself. We will need to wait and see how this unfolds.”

Whoever is appointed as the next permanent manager at United this summer, it would be unexpected for them to prioritize Ronaldo as their top transfer target. Nonetheless, it is believed that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has several options available for continuing his club career, with teams in Major League Soccer and Europe monitoring the situation closely.

Ronaldo reportedly has a €50 million (£43m/$59m) release clause in his Al-Nassr contract, allowing teams to acquire him should they meet the financial requirement.

On the field, it remains uncertain whether Ronaldo will resolve his strike soon. Al-Nassr’s next match is against Al-Ittihad on Friday evening.