Cristiano Ronaldo may be closing in on 40, but the legendary forward is showing no signs of slowing down, and Al Nassr wants to make sure he stays in Saudi Arabia. The club’s sporting director, Fernando Hierro, confirmed that talks are underway to extend Ronaldo’s contract, as they hope to keep the Portuguese icon as the face of their ambitious football project.
Ronaldo’s arrival at Al Nassr in late 2022 sent shockwaves through the football world. It wasn’t just a signing, it was a statement.
Hierro described Ronaldo’s presence as a “national project,” saying the striker has helped elevate the Saudi Pro League’s global profile.
“Cristiano is a football phenomenon, and he made a huge impact on the growth of our league”.
Despite regular rumors linking Ronaldo to clubs across Europe and beyond, reportedly up to 30 teams have shown interest Al Nassr remains hopeful.
“Every day, a new club appears in the media,” Hierro added. “But we hope he stays with us.”
And the club has good reason to want him around. Since joining, Ronaldo has won back-to-back Golden Boot awards in the Saudi Pro League, proving he can still deliver at the highest level. He recently surpassed 800 club goals, the most by any player in history. His total career tally now stands at 936, putting him within striking distance of his next personal goal: reaching 1,000 career goals.
Before joining Al Nassr, Ronaldo enjoyed a glittering career across some of Europe’s biggest clubs. He rose to fame at Sporting CP in Portugal, then became a global star at Manchester United. He went on to win multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid, where he scored a record 450 goals. A successful stint at Juventus followed, before a brief return to Manchester United.
At Al Nassr, Ronaldo has continued to break records, but the team has struggled to secure major silverware. While he’s been exceptional individually, lifting the league title remains a target. That challenge, combined with his personal goal to hit the 1,000-goal milestone, could be enough to keep him motivated and committed to Al Nassr.
By Yockshard Enyendi
