Cristiano Ronaldo has definitively silenced speculation regarding his future in the Middle East, confirming his desire to remain with Al-Nassr despite a turbulent period marked by reported friction with the club’s hierarchy. The Portuguese superstar returned to the pitch in emphatic fashion last week, finding the net in his comeback game before following up with a commanding brace that put an end to whispers of a potential move to North America’s Major League Soccer (MLS).
Addressing the Friction
Rumours of Ronaldo’s discontent intensified during the winter transfer window. Reports suggested the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was frustrated by Al-Nassr’s relative inactivity in the market compared to their rivals. Central to his grievance was the perceived imbalance in support from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which manages four of the kingdom’s top clubs.
Ronaldo was reportedly vexed that Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr’s primary competitors, appeared to be receiving preferential treatment and a more aggressive recruitment drive. This perceived marginalisation, coupled with internal disagreements over club management, reportedly led Ronaldo to sit out matches against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad, sparking fears of an imminent departure.
A Public Commitment
However, speaking at a recent press conference, the 41-year-old icon struck a far more settled tone. “I am happy here. As I have said many times, I belong to Saudi Arabia,” Ronaldo told reporters. “This country welcomed me, my family, and my friends with open arms. I feel good here and I wish to stay.”
| Statistic | Current Record |
| Total Career Goals | 964 |
| 2025/26 Season League Goals | 20 |
| Target Milestore | 1,000 Career Goals |
| Al-Nassr League Position | 1st (55 Points) |
| Games Played | 22 |
The Race for the Title
Beyond personal milestones—Ronaldo is currently chasing an unprecedented 1,000 professional career goals—his immediate focus remains on domestic silverware. Al-Nassr currently lead the Saudi Pro League standings, though the margin for error is razor-thin.
“The most important thing now is to keep fighting for the title,” Ronaldo added. “We are at the top, and our job is to keep winning matches and maintaining pressure on our opponents. We will see what happens at the end of the season.” With only a single point separating Al-Nassr from second-placed Al-Hilal, the title race is poised for a dramatic conclusion, with Ronaldo clearly intended to be at the heart of it.