Cristiano Ronaldo’s future is once again uncertain as he faces ongoing challenges at Al-Nassr, with strained relations with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) and limited squad reinforcements prompting speculation over his next destination. At 41, the legendary forward is actively considering a number of surprising options, including a potential reunion with Lionel Messi, as he weighs up where he can continue to impact the game before retirement.
Ronaldo’s discontent stems from what he sees as unfair investment disparities within Saudi football, and with his contract coming under strain amid ongoing conflicts, the Portuguese star’s next move is attracting global attention. Below are the seven most plausible paths for Ronaldo’s career if he departs Al-Nassr, starting with the possibility of a new chapter at Manchester United.
A Potential Third Spell at Manchester United
During his second period at Manchester United, Ronaldo scored 27 goals in 54 appearances after rejoining the club in 2021. However, under manager Erik ten Hag, whose approach the forward openly criticised, he found himself relegated to the bench, leading to a premature exit under uncomfortable circumstances.
Now, four years later, a third return to Old Trafford remains conceivable. Ronaldo himself has publicly expressed his enduring bond with the club and a belief in its latent potential.
I’m sad because that’s one of the most important clubs in the world, and a club that I still have in my heart,
Ronaldo said in a November interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored.
You have to follow with the intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future as Manchester United have [done] so many years ago. Nicky Butt, Gary [Neville], Roy Keane, [David] Beckham, they became big players, but they had youth.
So Manchester United right now, they don’t have a structure. I hope that changes in the future, present-future, because the potential of the club, it’s amazing. It’s one of the most important clubs of the century.
The recent appointment of Michael Carrick as interim manager could signal a readiness within United’s leadership to listen and adapt. Securing Ronaldo once more would not only complement the squad’s competitive aims but also offer invaluable mentorship to younger talents like £74 million signing Benjamin Sesko, potentially accelerating their development under Ronaldo’s guidance.
An Emotional Return to Real Madrid
Though Ronaldo departed Real Madrid after the 2017-18 season for Juventus, his emotional ties to the Bernabeu remain strong and could pave the way for a swansong season at the club where he cemented his status as one of football’s all-time greats.
I’m happy at Real Madrid and I want to stay and finish my career there if possible,
he stated after winning his fifth Ballon d’Or in 2017. Later, in January 2025, Ronaldo proclaimed,
My period at Real Madrid is the happiest for me in terms of football,
hinting at the deep connection he maintains with the club.
With the club experiencing managerial instability—highlighted by Xabi Alonso’s brief seven-month tenure and Alvaro Arbeloa’s current attempts to steady the ship—a Ronaldo reunion would add experience and commercial clout. Additionally, Kylian Mbappe, Real’s marquee forward, has openly described Ronaldo as his ‘idol’ and sought his advice, suggesting a close working partnership might be impactful, both on and off the pitch.
Despite some tactical concerns—such as Madrid’s ongoing struggles with forwards tracking back, which Ronaldo’s style may not remedy—the emotional and marketing benefits of his return cannot be overlooked.
Rejoining Newcastle United Through PIF Connections
Newcastle United, majority-owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, is an obvious candidate to lure Ronaldo back to European football. Notably, Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr included an option to join Newcastle if they qualified for the UEFA Champions League, a move that ultimately did not materialize in 2023.
With the Magpies struggling in the Premier League’s lower half, Ronaldo’s arrival could provide a transformative boost. While Newcastle would need to offload players such as Nick Woltemade and Yoanne Wissa, the potential draw and leadership that Ronaldo offers far outstrip those considerations.
His signing would represent the highest-profile acquisition in the club’s history, raising expectations and scrutiny, but also bringing global attention and a renewed ambition to the Saudi-backed project on Tyneside.
Joining Forces with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami
Major League Soccer (MLS) presents a compelling destination where Ronaldo could combine forces with Lionel Messi, currently starring at Inter Miami. Former Arsenal midfielder Anders Limpar praised the prospect, emphasizing the appeal of their potential partnership.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been there, Lionel Messi is there now and can you imagine if Cristiano Ronaldo joined him? Why not? It would be the icing on the cake – and imagine they played together, it would be simply unbelievable,
Limpar commented.
I think there is only one person who can make that happen and that is David Beckham. If you ask me, Ronaldo should leave Saudi Arabia and make MLS bigger than ever.
Beckham, Inter Miami’s president, orchestrated Messi’s move in 2023 and could well be courting Ronaldo now amid the forward’s frustrations in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo has noted that the MLS is below the Saudi Pro League in competitive level, but joining the American league would instantly raise its profile and could drastically invigorate soccer in the U.S.
Messi, who has won successive MVP awards and led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup in 2025, would likely welcome the challenge and prestige of playing alongside Ronaldo, making this option a tantalizing scenario for fans worldwide.
Completing His Career at Sporting CP, His Childhood Club
Sporting CP, Ronaldo’s boyhood club and where he began his senior career, stands as the most sentimental yet least commercially attractive option in Europe. The Portuguese forward played only 31 senior matches before his 2003 move to Manchester United, yet the club remains a meaningful part of his narrative.
It would be incredible to see him finish his career at Sporting CP. It would be the best, a beautiful story for everyone,
said Ricardo Sa Pinto, Ronaldo’s former teammate, in an interview with Radio Marca.
When you love football like Cristiano, you know there are stories that only happen once. It would be a beautiful story, a very beautiful one. The Sporting fans deserve it. And so does he.
Ronaldo’s mother, Dolores Aveiro, has consistently voiced her wish for his return.
Ronaldo has to come back here,
she said in 2021.
If it were my choice, he would already be here. He likes to watch Sporting games. I’ve already told him: ‘Son, before I die, I want to see you return to Sporting’. He says: ‘Let’s see.’
In terms of performance, Ronaldo’s presence would challenge even current star Luis Suarez, who stands second in the Liga Portugal scoring charts with 18 goals in the ongoing season. While Suarez is noted for his pace and pressing, Ronaldo’s legendary status and experience could shift the club’s dynamics dramatically, offering a narrative-rich conclusion to his professional journey.
Switching to a Rival Saudi Club to Maintain Financial Rewards
If a big paycheck remains a top priority, remaining in Saudi Arabia but switching clubs is a likely path. Ronaldo’s staggering salary at Al-Nassr—around £488,000 per day—would be difficult to match elsewhere, but within Saudi’s top tier, clubs like Al-Hilal have spent significantly more on recent transfers and could offer lucrative packages.
While Al-Nassr has invested €414 million in players since Ronaldo’s arrival, Al-Hilal’s outlay of €650 million includes marquee signings such as Neymar, Ruben Neves, and Darwin Nunez, reflecting an aggressive strategy to dominate the Saudi Pro League. Benzema’s move to Al-Hilal, despite Ronaldo’s objections, is the latest example of their spending power.
Rumors have circulated that PIF pushed for Al-Hilal to acquire Ronaldo ahead of the expanded Club World Cup in 2025, hinting at potential reunifications. Bringing Ronaldo and Benzema together again could recreate their productive Real Madrid partnership, where Benzema’s build-up play complemented Ronaldo’s goal-scoring prowess.
This move could end Ronaldo’s six-year trophy drought, revive his stature in Middle Eastern football, and place him at the heart of Saudi football’s ambitious project, though it would undoubtedly shock Al-Nassr supporters.
Contemplating Retirement But Still Ambitious
Retirement remains a possibility, but Ronaldo has publicly rejected the idea, expressing his continued commitment to playing at the highest level for as long as possible.
People, especially my family, say, ‘It’s time for you to stop. You’ve done everything. Why do you want to score a thousand goals?’ But I don’t think so,
he told Canal 11 in October.
I think I’m still producing good things, I’m helping my club and the national team, and why not keep going? I’m sure that when I finish, I’ll be fulfilled, because I gave it my all. I know I don’t have many more years, but the few I have, I’ll try to enjoy to the fullest.
At 39 goals shy of a 1,000-goal career landmark, Ronaldo appears driven to reach this historic milestone. He also eyes one last World Cup at the 2026 tournament in North America, where Portugal is considered a strong contender.
Despite criticism that Ronaldo’s presence might limit the team’s fluidity—partly due to his demanding style and declining tournament goal tally—the Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez firmly supports the veteran.
He’s a player who, for us, is a finisher. He’s the all-time leading scorer. So, having a player who now has 25 goals in the last 30 games (across qualifiers, friendlies and the Nations League) for the national team is a gift,
Martinez said.
It’s about the present; we’re not talking about what he did 10 years ago. So, for me, his commitment is very important. He’s the only player in the world with more than 220 international caps. So, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s experience, having the commitment he has… He’s an example. And he’s a player who inspires the locker room.
While some question whether Portugal should adapt to pass-heavy approaches without Ronaldo, his capacity to maintain a direct, goal-oriented threat remains unmatched, and his competitive drive still ignites the dressing room. Whether his continuation benefits anyone besides himself is debatable, but his influence on football’s global narrative remains undeniable.
