Cristiano Ronaldo is navigating a defining moment in his career one shaped by growing tensions in Saudi Arabia and a major legal triumph in Europe.
Still under contract with Al-Nassr, the Portuguese superstar continues to dominate headlines well beyond the football pitch. Reports indicate that Ronaldo’s deal includes a £44 million release clause, a figure that could potentially pave the way for a summer exit. That possibility has gained traction amid claims that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is increasingly dissatisfied with the current sporting direction of Saudi football.
According to multiple sources, Ronaldo has made his frustrations clear to both the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and officials of the Saudi Pro League. He is said to have warned that he could leave the kingdom if he is not given stronger sporting guarantees. Central to his concerns is Al-Nassr’s recruitment strategy, which he reportedly views as inadequate compared to that of rivals. In particular, Ronaldo is believed to be unhappy with what he perceives as an imbalance between state-backed clubs, questioning how Al-Hilal was able to attract Karim Benzema while his own side struggled to reinforce at a similar level.
Despite these tensions, Ronaldo’s popularity in Saudi Arabia remains undiminished. During a recent fixture involving Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, supporters from both camps paid tribute to the Portuguese icon. From the seventh minute of the match, banners bearing the number 7 filled the stands a powerful and symbolic show of respect for a player many still regard as the greatest of all time.
While uncertainty surrounds his future in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has enjoyed success off the pitch in Europe. The veteran forward recently won a significant legal battle against Juventus. An Italian court ruled in his favour after the club sought reimbursement of €9.8 million paid to him in 2024. The dispute stemmed from the Covid-19 period, during which Juventus claimed its players had agreed to salary reductions. Ronaldo, however, maintained that he was owed close to €20 million in deferred wages from his time in Turin before leaving the club in 2021. The court ultimately sided with the player.
Speculation about a possible return to the Premier League, however, appears to be off the table. Manchester United have no interest in bringing Ronaldo back for a third spell at Old Trafford, according to sources close to the club.
At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to exert enormous influence sporting, economic and even political. Caught between a standoff with Saudi football authorities and unresolved tensions with former clubs, his future may be uncertain, but his place at the centre of global football discourse remains unquestioned.
