In what has been a tumultuous few weeks for football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner finds himself at a pivotal moment in his storied career. As the 2024/25 season approaches its conclusion, the 40-year-old Portuguese superstar faces mounting questions about his future, both at club level with Al-Nassr and on the international stage with Portugal.
Contract Uncertainty Amid Disappointing Results
When Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in early 2023 after his acrimonious departure from Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, many viewed it as the beginning of the end of an illustrious playing career. However, the Portuguese forward has continued to demonstrate his remarkable goal-scoring prowess, netting an impressive 91 goals and providing 19 assists in 103 appearances for the Saudi club.
Despite his individual brilliance, with 33 goals in the current 2024/25 campaign alone, Al-Nassr’s collective performance has fallen short of expectations. The club currently sits fourth in the Saudi Pro League standings, trailing behind Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, and league leaders Al-Ittihad with just four league fixtures remaining. This disappointing league position has reportedly thrown Ronaldo’s future at the club into doubt.
According to MARCA, Ronaldo had been expecting to sign a two-year contract extension that would keep him playing professionally beyond his 42nd birthday. However, negotiations have reportedly stalled due to the team’s recent struggles, including their elimination from the AFC Champions League at the semi-final stage following a heart-breaking 3-2 defeat to Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale on April 30.
This setback comes despite Ronaldo’s previous public statements indicating his intention to finish his career at Al-Nassr. Speaking to Portuguese TV channel Now in 2024, Ronaldo had said: “I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr. I’m happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I’m happy to play in Saudi Arabia, and I want to continue.”
Champions League Heartbreak
The AFC Champions League elimination proved particularly painful for Ronaldo and Al-Nassr fans. In the semi-final match against Kawasaki Frontale, Ronaldo missed a golden opportunity to equalize in the 95th minute that would have taken the game to extra time. After rounding the goalkeeper, the usually clinical finisher failed to convert with the goal at his mercy as defender Asahi Sasaki made a last-ditch clearance.
The miss clearly affected Ronaldo deeply. Cameras caught him in an unusual moment after the final whistle, standing alone in the center circle, appearing to talk to himself while gesturing with his arms in what observers described as “performative footballing grief.” The moment quickly went viral on social media, with many fans and critics suggesting it symbolized his frustration with Al-Nassr’s inability to secure silverware despite his individual contributions.
Following the defeat, Ronaldo took to social media to address the disappointment: “Sometimes the dream has to wait. I’m proud of this team and everything we gave on the pitch,” he wrote on X. “Thank you to all the fans who believed in us and stood by us every step of the way. Your support means the world.”
The AFC Champions League remains an elusive trophy for Ronaldo, who has won only the Arab Club Champions Cup during his time at Al-Nassr – a far cry from the five Champions League titles he secured during his time in Europe with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Fan Backlash Following League Defeats
The disappointment continued for Al-Nassr when they resumed their Saudi Pro League campaign following their Champions League exit. A crushing 3-2 defeat to title rivals Al-Ittihad on May 7 effectively ended any remaining hopes of a league championship, with Houssem Aouar scoring a devastating 94th-minute winner.
Ronaldo’s reaction to this late goal sparked controversy among Al-Nassr supporters. Television cameras captured him throwing his hands up in visible frustration, a gesture that many fans interpreted negatively. The backlash on social media was swift and severe, with some supporters labeling him a “crybaby” and questioning his commitment to the team.
One particularly vocal supporter demanded on social media: “Look at how our crybaby captain is acting man. CR7 is the worst thing to ever happen to Al Nassr. The ultras are demanding it. Get Cristiano Ronaldo out of my club. NOW.” Others called for Ronaldo to be stripped of the captain’s armband, with one fan writing: “Start with the armband…he doesn’t deserve the captaincy.”
The criticism represents a significant shift in sentiment toward a player who was welcomed as a conquering hero when he first arrived in Saudi Arabia. With Al-Nassr now sitting 11 points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad, the discontent among the fanbase appears to be growing.
Golden Boot Race Amid Team Struggles
Despite the team’s struggles, Ronaldo remains on track for individual recognition. He currently leads the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot race with 23 goals, three ahead of his nearest competitor, former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who has netted 20 times for Al-Ahli.
This individual achievement, while impressive, may ring hollow for a player who has built his reputation on team success throughout his career. Ronaldo’s competitive nature and winning mentality have always been defining characteristics, and his inability to lead Al-Nassr to major honors despite his goal-scoring exploits must surely be a source of frustration.
Looking to Life After Playing: Valencia Takeover?
As uncertainty surrounds his playing future, reports have emerged suggesting Ronaldo is already planning for life after retirement. According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Portuguese superstar is interested in a stunning takeover of Valencia CF, a historic but currently struggling Spanish club.
Valencia, once one of La Liga’s powerhouses, has fallen on hard times under the ownership of Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim. The club has not finished in the top four of La Liga in the last six seasons and has twice flirted with relegation during that period, including in the current 2024/25 campaign. They also infamously have an unfinished stadium project, the Nou Mestalla, that has been in limbo for years.
Ronaldo’s interest reportedly hinged on Valencia avoiding relegation from Spain’s top division. Their recent 3-2 victory over Las Palmas has virtually guaranteed their La Liga status for another season, potentially paving the way for takeover discussions to advance.
Any bid from Ronaldo would likely require substantial financial backing, possibly from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which already owns four clubs in the Saudi Pro League. While Lim has publicly stated he has no plans to sell Valencia, mounting pressure from disgruntled fans and the club’s continued underperformance might eventually force his hand.
For Ronaldo, who spent nine trophy-laden years at Real Madrid, acquiring Valencia would represent a return to Spanish football in a very different capacity. During his time at Real Madrid, he won the La Liga title twice and added four Champions League medals to the one he had previously won with Manchester United.
International Future Still Uncertain
At 40 years old, questions naturally persist about Ronaldo’s international future with Portugal. Despite his age, he continues to represent his country and has indicated that any decision to retire from international football will be made on his own terms.
“When I leave the national team, I won’t tell anyone in advance, and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one,” Ronaldo has stated. This suggests that, despite the challenges he faces at club level, he remains committed to representing Portugal for as long as he feels able to contribute.
A Legacy at Stake
As Ronaldo approaches the twilight of his playing career, the current situation at Al-Nassr presents a dilemma for the superstar who has built his reputation on success at the highest level. While his individual statistics in Saudi Arabia remain impressive – he is the league’s top scorer with 23 goals this season – the lack of team success threatens to cast a shadow over this chapter of his career.
The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining how this Saudi Arabian adventure is remembered. If Al-Nassr fails to secure a contract extension, will Ronaldo seek one final challenge elsewhere? Or will he transition into ownership, potentially breathing new life into a sleeping giant like Valencia?
What seems certain is that, whatever path he chooses, Ronaldo will approach it with the same determination and ambition that have defined his playing career. Whether leading from the front on the pitch or potentially from the boardroom, his impact on football seems destined to continue long after he hangs up his boots.
What’s Next for CR7?
With just four league games remaining in the Saudi Pro League season, Ronaldo will be focused on securing the Golden Boot and helping Al-Nassr finish as high as possible in the table. Beyond that, the summer promises to be a period of significant decisions for the Portuguese superstar.
If contract negotiations with Al-Nassr remain stalled, Ronaldo may need to consider his options. At 40, opportunities at the very top level of European football may be limited, but his commercial appeal and continued goal-scoring ability ensure he won’t be short of suitors should he become available.
Alternatively, if the reported interest in Valencia materializes into concrete action, we could see Ronaldo take his first steps into club ownership – a move that would mark a new phase in his relationship with the sport that has defined his life.
What remains clear is that, even as he approaches his fifth decade, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to command attention, generate headlines, and divide opinion like few other figures in world sport. The next chapter of his remarkable story promises to be just as compelling as those that have come before.
As Al-Nassr prepares for their remaining fixtures and Ronaldo contemplates his future, fans around the world will be watching closely to see what one of football’s greatest ever players decides to do next. Whether extending his playing career or transitioning to a new role in the game, Ronaldo’s impact on football seems certain to continue for many years to come.
