Saudi club Al-Nassr formalized Cristiano Ronaldo's contract extension until 2027 this Thursday via a video posted on its social media. The video shows the Portuguese international, barefoot on a beach, smiling, declaring: "Al-Nassr forever."
Having arrived in Saudi Arabia in January 2023 after the termination of his contract with Manchester United, Ronaldo cast doubt on his future at the end of May, telling the Portuguese press that "the Al-Nassr chapter" was coming to an end, while hinting that his story "wasn't over ." A few days later, after Portugal's victory against Croatia in the Nations League, he softened his stance, stating that he was "open to continuing the adventure at Al-Nassr."
Rumors of his departure had swelled after FIFA president Gianni Infantino raised the possibility of Ronaldo joining a club qualified for the Club World Cup, currently being held in the United States, where his great rival Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami.
The 2026 World Cup in sight?
With this extension, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to play the 2025-2026 season for Al-Nassr. The 40-year-old striker remains a central figure in the Saudi Pro League's sporting and marketing project.
Despite a prolific 2024-2025 season on an individual level (top scorer in the championship with 25 goals), Ronaldo has not yet won the national title or the Asian Champions League with Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo remains committed to the national team and could participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This will likely be his last major international competition, and the final opportunity to win the only major trophy missing from his list of achievements.
