Cristiano Ronaldo Transfer Rumors Swirl: Will He Leave Al-Nassr?
May 26, 2025 – The football world is closely monitoring the future of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, as numerous rumors and speculations circulate about his potential departure from Al-Nassr and a move to another club. Although his contract with the Saudi Arabian club is set to expire this June, recent reports suggest a significant possibility of a change in his footballing career.
These rumors have gained particular momentum leading up to the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Despite Al-Nassr failing to qualify for the tournament, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hinted that ongoing discussions could still enable Ronaldo to participate in the prestigious competition.
Here are some of the teams being mentioned in connection with Ronaldo's possible transfer:
- Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia): This name has frequently appeared in discussions. However, some recent reports suggest that Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia's largest club and a qualified team for the Club World Cup, might not be currently interested in signing Ronaldo. Despite this, some former Saudi football officials still indicate a strong possibility of this transfer.
- Brazilian Clubs (e.g., Botafogo, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense): Strong rumors from various sources, including Spanish newspaper Marca, claim that Ronaldo has received a "massive" offer from a Brazilian club. These clubs, many of which have qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup, appear keen to sign Ronaldo, even on a short-term contract, to boost their appeal and quality for the tournament. When asked about these rumors, Botafogo coach Renato Paiva joked but did not explicitly rule out the possibility.
- Wydad Casablanca (Morocco): Surprising rumors have emerged linking Ronaldo with Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca. It's alleged that the club, which is also attempting to build a strong squad for various competitions, is making efforts to bring in Ronaldo. Nordin Amrabat, a new Wydad player, reportedly claimed to confirm these rumors, stating "It's true" that Wydad is trying to sign Ronaldo for the Club World Cup.
- Other European Clubs: While most rumors point to Ronaldo moving outside Europe, there's still a faint discussion about his potential return to Europe, though no specific club has been strongly linked. Previous whispers of a return to Sporting CP, his boyhood club, remain unconfirmed, and they haven't qualified for the Club World Cup.
Ronaldo, who will become a free agent in June, is reportedly keen to continue playing competitive football and still harbors ambitions of participating in the 2026 World Cup. A lack of major titles with Al-Nassr, coupled with their failure to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite next season, might be prompting him to seek new challenges.
However, Al-Nassr has reportedly maintained that they have no intention of letting him leave and have supposedly begun the process of offering him a new contract. Thus, Ronaldo's future remains uncertain, and football fans eagerly await to see where this legendary forward will land after this season.