Jeddah, June 26, 2025: Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has extended his stay at Al Nassr until 2027, the Saudi Pro League club announced on Thursday, putting an end to months of speculation over his future.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at @AlNassrFC until 2027,” the club posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. The announcement followed a teaser video in which the 40-year-old is seen walking along a beachfront, declaring, “Al Nassr forever.”
Ronaldo initially joined the Riyadh-based club in early 2023, a move that signaled the beginning of a wave of high-profile transfers to the oil-rich Gulf state. His signing marked a transformative moment for Saudi football, helping elevate the global profile of the domestic league.
Despite a trophyless 2024–25 season, in which Al Nassr finished third and fell short in the Asian Champions League semi-finals, Ronaldo was the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer with 25 goals. Last month, he had sparked exit rumors by posting “This chapter is over” on social media, shortly after the season’s conclusion.
A source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) — the sovereign wealth fund which owns several Pro League clubs, including Al Nassr — previously told AFP, “Ronaldo’s presence is a key factor in developing the Saudi league… He opens the door for elite and young players to come to Saudi Arabia.”
The extension ensures Ronaldo will continue playing a central role in the kingdom’s long-term football ambitions, particularly as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Since Ronaldo’s move, the Saudi Pro League has drawn several global icons, including Karim Benzema and Neymar, with lucrative contracts backed by the state-funded PIF. However, Neymar’s stint was cut short in January 2025 due to injuries, after just seven appearances for Al Hilal.
Though critics have compared Saudi Arabia’s spending spree to the boom-and-bust of China’s Super League, Saudi officials argue their football investment is part of a larger vision — one aimed at transforming the country into a global hub for sports, tourism, and business before a predicted global decline in oil demand.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has previously hinted he might retire at Al Nassr. With this latest extension, it now appears increasingly likely that the Saudi club will be the final chapter of one of football’s most illustrious careers.
