Cristiano Ronaldo shocked the soccer world back in January 2023 when he announced his move to Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia—a club virtually unknown to global audiences before his arrival. Backed by millions of dollars, the team built a star-studded squad, but success remained elusive. The Portuguese icon, now 40 years old, won just one title during his stint. And while retirement isn’t in his plans just yet, the big question is: where will he go next?
Following Al Nassr’s final Saudi Pro League match—a loss to Al Fateh—Ronaldo posted a cryptic message on social media: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.” While he didn’t explicitly say he was leaving Al Nassr, the message spoke volumes. Naturally, speculation quickly turned to what’s next for CR7.
What’s clear is that Ronaldo wants to keep playing, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon. He aims to represent Portugal and chase the only major trophy that has eluded him. That means finding a new club soon—ideally, one that can offer a higher level of competition than the Saudi league, which has been criticized for its lack of elite teams.
To be fair, Ronaldo had an impressive season, scoring 35 goals and providing four assists. His form remains strong, but many believe he needs to return to a top-tier league to truly challenge himself. So where could he go?
Possible destinations for Cristiano Ronaldo
One of the strongest candidates is Sporting CP, the club where he began his professional career. A return there would be symbolic and fitting, especially as Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United may no longer be realistic options at this stage of his career.
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Another surprising possibility is Rayados de Monterrey in Mexico. The club recently signed Sergio Ramos and is reportedly eyeing Ronaldo for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. The two players are close friends, and this move would reunite them.
Then there’s Al Hilal, a powerhouse in Saudi Arabia with deep pockets and a spot in the Club World Cup. The club’s opening match? Against Real Madrid—a storyline too rich to ignore.
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Brazilian giants like Palmeiras, Botafogo, Fluminense, and Flamengo have also been linked with CR7. All four will participate in the Club World Cup. Meanwhile, Wydad AC of Morocco—in a group with Manchester City, Juventus, and Al Ain—has reportedly shown interest. And Al Ahli, current AFC Champions League winners, could emerge as another suitor, even though they won’t feature in the tournament.
For now, all signs point to Ronaldo joining a Club World Cup team. The only question that remains is: which jersey will he wear next?
What did Infantino say about Cristiano Ronaldo playing the Club World Cup?
The Ronaldo rumor mill took a new twist when Gianni Infantino appeared as a guest on IShowSpeed’s livestream. When the topic turned to the Club World Cup, Infantino teased something extraordinary.
“And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams at the Club World Cup,” Infantino said, prompting a shocked reaction from Speed. When asked to confirm, Infantino didn’t hold back. “Yeah, Cristiano Ronaldo might play at a Club World Cup. These are discussions with some clubs. So if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for a Club World Cup… who knows? There’s still some time. It would be fun.”
