Is Cristiano Ronaldo Leaving Al Nassr?

Cristiano Ronaldo may have played his final game for Al Nassr. And if that’s the case, his Saudi Pro League journey ended not with a roar, but with a whimper. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored in the season finale, which saw him reach 35 goals in 41 games, but it wasn’t enough. Al Nassr fell 3-2 to Al Fateh, dashing their hopes of qualifying for next year’s AFC Champions League Elite. It was a defeat that stung, not just because of the result, but because it felt like the closing scene of Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia.

“This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.” That cryptic post on Ronaldo’s social media just moments after the final whistle sent shockwaves through the football world. The man who brought global eyes to the Saudi Pro League may now look toward one final challenge before hanging up his boots.

A Bitter End To a Frustrating Campaign

Al Nassr’s season has been a tough one. They had been effectively ruled out of the AFC Champions League Elite race just a fortnight ago until the Saudi Sports Arbitration Centre surprisingly awarded them three points due to Al-Orouba fielding an ineligible player. Suddenly, qualification was back on the table. All they needed was a win against Al Fateh and rivals Al Hilal to lose. But things rarely go according to script in football.

Stefano Pioli’s side started brightly. Nawaf Boushal, the energetic Saudi international, carved open Al Fateh’s defense twice. First setting up Sadio Mané and then Ronaldo, only for both to be denied by Al Aqidi, who is an Al Nassr player out on loan.

Eventually, Ronaldo did find the net, heading into an open goal after a flick-on by Mohammed Al-Fatil from an Otavio corner. It looked like Al Nassr would take a lead into the break. But right before halftime, a moment of carelessness from Ronaldo led to a counterattack, finished off by Matías Vargas. That equalizer shifted the momentum, and Al Fateh never looked back.

Mané gave Al Nassr hope with a tap-in to make it 2-1, assisted again by the ever-reliable Boushal. But Mourad Batna’s spectacular free-kick dragged the hosts level again, and in the 98th minute, Brazilian midfielder Matheus Ferreira netted the final blow. Al Nassr was out. And Ronaldo’s 25th league goal of the season? Just another stat in a season that ended without silverware.

More Questions Than Answers

For a player of Ronaldo’s stature, trophies matter. And at 39, time isn’t something he has in abundance. Despite scoring consistently throughout the campaign, there has been growing frustration around the club. Pioli’s tactics were questioned, with fans and pundits alike wondering if the team made the most of its world-class talent.

“Despite the presence of big names like Ronaldo and Mané, it was Boushal who was the most consistent performer in Pioli’s front line as the Saudi Arabia international created multiple chances and finally got a well-deserved assist via Mané’s goal.” That says much when a 24-year-old fullback is your best attacker in a must-win game. Pioli himself may not stick around this summer. There’s already talk of a managerial change at Al Nassr. But it’s Ronaldo’s future that dominates the headlines, and rightly so.

What’s Next For CR7?

Multiple reports suggest that Ronaldo is already in talks with clubs that will participate in the inaugural 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. That tournament is just over a year away, but Ronaldo’s brand and legacy make him a target even for short-term deals. There are whispers of a potential stint with a Brazilian club, possibly as a pre-Club World Cup arrangement. Some sources near FIFA mentioned they are negotiating to bring Ronaldo to the tournament.

A short-term switch followed by a return to Al Nassr? It’s possible, though unlikely. Those around the club suggest no such loan is currently being planned. Ronaldo’s contract reportedly expires in June, so a clean break could be on the cards. The former Manchester United man will leave behind a mixed legacy if this is the end of his Saudi adventure. He did what he always does: score goals, break records, and draw crowds. But he couldn’t bring the one thing Al Nassr craved most: silverware.