Cristiano Ronaldo confirms transfer future amid rumours ex-Man United star could leave Al-Nassr for a Club World Cup side
Cristiano Ronaldo has seemingly put paid to rumours he was set to quit Saudi Arabia after another season without silverware in the wake of his Nations League win over Spain.
The Portuguese icon picked up his third trophy with the national team, and second in the Nations League, when his side beat Spain in Sunday’s showpiece finale after a penalty shootout.
Spain had taken an early lead but were immediately pegged back, only to make it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time.
Despite having far less possession, competing far fewer passes and having hardly troubled the Spanish goal, Portugal found the equaliser through Ronaldo, naturally, on 61 minutes with his 138th national team goal.
The game then went to penalties, and despite their talisman being off the field, Portugal came out 5-3 victors.
After the comeback win, Ronaldo admitted that bringing home silverware for his country was ‘always special’, before making clear his plans for his immediate future, amid reports he could be looking to depart the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo won the Nations League with Portugal on Sunday after a penalty shootout
Despite thriving on a personal level at Al-Nassr he is yet to win a trophy in Saudi Arabia
He netted his 138th Portugal goal to equalise in the final against Spain before coming off
‘The tears were of joy. When you win something for Portugal, it’s always special, but there’s nothing like winning for the national team, in my opinion,’ the 40-year-old said.
‘This generation deserved it and we were going to have a bit of luck and merit and we were going to win the final.
‘We knew it was going to be difficult but we deserved it and this gives us confidence and allows us to go to the World Cup with more confidence.
‘Future? It won’t change anything. Al-Nassr, yes.’
His emphatic statement comes after speculation arose a move could be on the cards in order to play in the Club World Cup, fanned, bizarrely, by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino told YouTuber iShowSpeed last month that talks were ongoing about Ronaldo featuring in the newly-expanded competition.
Ronaldo, though, also had his own role to play in the rumours. He had appeared to signal that his time at Al-Nassr could be coming to an end when he put out a cryptic social media post following their final game of the season.
The X post read: ‘This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.’
His future at the Saudi Arabian side had been up in the air heading into the summer window
Speculation was fueled by Gianni Infantino in the build-up to the expanded Club World Cup
He was subsequently linked with a shock switch to Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League rivals, Al-Hilal, who will be playing in the Club World Cup.
However, this move has not materialised and it is understood that Ronaldo is currently considering a £167m-a-year contract offer to remain at Al-Nassr.
He joined the Saudi outfit in December 2022 after leaving Manchester United the previous month following a public fall-out with Erik ten Hag.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has gone on to score 93 goals in 105 appearances, but has not won a trophy since moving to the Middle East.
