Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at his departure from Al-Nassr with a mysterious post on social media.
The 40-year-old, who joined the Saudi Arabian club in January 2023, will see his contract expire next month.
Ronaldo netted the first goal in the match—marking his 800th career goal at the club—as Al-Nassr wrapped up their season with a 3-2 loss to Al-Fateh, ending in third place in the Saudi Pro League.
After the defeat, he shared on his X account: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Thankful to everyone.”
What lies ahead for the Manchester United icon, and is there a chance he will participate in next month’s Club World Cup?
Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino mentioned the possibility of Ronaldo playing for another team in the Club World Cup following Al-Nassr’s failure to qualify.
“Ronaldo might join one of the teams competing in the Club World Cup,” Infantino stated in an interview with YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed.
“There are talks with several clubs, so if anyone is interested in bringing Ronaldo in for the Club World Cup… who knows, who knows?”
This summer's Club World Cup, hosted in the United States, serves as a significant test for FIFA.
It will be the first tournament held in the summer and will feature 32 teams under a new format.
However, general admission tickets are still available for most matches, including the opening game with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami facing Al-Ahly.
Only a handful of teams globally can meet Ronaldo’s salary demands.
He became the highest-paid player in soccer history when he signed with Al-Nassr in 2023, reportedly earning £177 million per year.
Nonetheless, Ronaldo might be open to a short-term contract with a club for participation in the Club World Cup before evaluating his options moving forward.
According to Spanish publication Marca, a Brazilian club has made an offer to sign Ronaldo.
Botafogo, one of four Brazilian teams in the tournament, has been linked to the superstar.
When asked about the possibility of acquiring Ronaldo, manager Renato Paiva commented: “Christmas comes in December. But if he showed up, you couldn't turn down a star like that.
“I don’t have any details—I’m just responding to the question. But as I mentioned, coaches always wish for the top players. Even at his age, Ronaldo remains a goal-scoring machine. In a team that creates numerous opportunities, he would excel.”
The summer transfer window in England opens on June 16 and concludes on September 1.
However, there will be a 10-day period for the 32 teams participating in the Club World Cup, spanning from June 1 to June 10.
FIFA has approved an additional transfer window allowing Club World Cup participants to acquire new players for the event.
The tournament will take place across 12 stadiums in the United States, starting on June 15.
In total, 63 matches will be played, with the final set for MetLife Stadium on July 13.