Speculation is mounting that Cristiano Ronaldo is heading for the exit at Al-Nassr, prompting discussion as to where the Manchester United great could move next
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr concentrated in the pitch during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Damac at Al Awwal Park
Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo could be heading for another crossroads after reportedly falling out with Al-Nassr(Image: Al Nassr FC/Al Nassr FC via Getty Images)
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The Manchester United fanbase will inevitably raise suspicion whenever there's talk of Cristiano Ronaldo potentially being on the move. And there's a chance the Old Trafford icon could be poised to switch his allegiances amid talk of trouble in paradise at Al-Nassr.
Reports have emerged suggesting Ronaldo has downed tools in Riyadh and is refusing to play for his current employers. The current protest is supposedly due to Ronaldo being dissatisfied with Al-Nassr's lack of transfer activity as he aims to clinch his first league title in Saudi Arabia.
In the event this particular door closes, it presents a chance for other clubs as a window of opportunity opens. And even after celebrating his 41st birthday on Thursday, Ronaldo will not be short of options.
Talk of a move back to United has even sprouted ahead of the latest crossroads in Cristiano's career. So the Manchester Evening News takes a look at some of the potential avenues he could feasibly take, including a potential reunion with long-time rival Lionel Messi.
Old Trafford return
There are those at Old Trafford who would welcome Ronaldo back with open arms, even if it wasn't in a playing capacity. That's after former team-mate Wes Brown suggested the Portugal captain could be "perfect" for a boardroom role.
Others may not be so sure the legendary forward is necessarily cut out for a decision-making position. Especially at a time when United are just starting to show signs of life and smart strategy following years of quizzical planning away from the pitch.
Nevertheless, as someone who has worked with Ronaldo up close and personal, Brown believes he has got what it takes. But he also appreciates a lot of it will come down to what the player desires after his second stint at Old Trafford, which ended in 2022, was an underwhelming one.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in 2009.
Many a Manchester United fan would love to see Ronaldo back at the club, even in an executive capacity(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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"You never know what Cristiano Ronaldo wants to do, but you can’t doubt him after everything he’s achieved," Brown told 10bet Casino. "I think first of all, it depends how he’s doing in Saudi Arabia, because it’s not clear he’ll be stopping any time soon - he’s still banging them in for Al Nassr.
"But he could definitely move into the boardroom, he’s got the ability to swerve away from coaching and into the executive level, 100 per cent. Why not? If he’s enjoying it, it’ll be perfect for him."
In any case, it's difficult to envision Ronaldo calling time on his playing career just yet. The five-time Ballon d'Or-winner is just 39 finishes away from reaching the fabled 1,000-goal mark he's had his heart set on for years, so it seems almost certain he'll prolong his playing days for another year at least.
Lionel Messi reunion
And out of all the leagues outside Saudi Arabia in which Ronaldo has potential to meet that threshold, Major League Soccer could be the perfect fit. Even if fans worldwide would not-so-secretly lick their lips purely at the thought of another run-in with Messi.
The most iconic individual rivalry in modern football thought it had its swan song in January 2023. Messi was at the time playing for Paris Saint-Germain, who defeated a combined squad of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal stars 5-4 in an exhibition friendly.
However, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid nemeses could strike up a long-anticipated last act in the United States. Messi continues to shine for Inter Miami and is contracted to play for David Beckham's franchise until the end of 2028, affording plenty of time for him and Ronaldo to get in a few more rounds against one another if the latter did make a move to the United States.
Nominees for the Best FIFA football player, Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi (R) and Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) chat before taking their seats for The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in 2017
Fans across the world would relish seeing Ronaldo and Lionel Messi back in the same league(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
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Many among us might even dream of the prospect that Ronaldo and Messi could feature on the same team. However, shoehorning Ronaldo onto Inter Miami's already-bulging salary bill would likely prove a task too far.
That being said, there's nothing to rule out another MLS team making use of similar Designated Player loopholes to accommodate Ronaldo's massive wages. And the league's history of offering elite forwards the ideal proving ground to inflate their goal tallies could be the perfect temptation.
Alternative transfers
In the event Ronaldo does leave Al-Nassr in the foreseeable future, he's sure to have his pick of the litter in terms of destinations. A return to where it all started at Sporting CP could be on the cards, though that may be a move motivated by emotion more than anything else.
Ronaldo first joined Sporting's youth ranks as a 12-year-old, and he had barely embarked upon his professional career before Sir Alex Ferguson came calling. That being said, the prospect of a step up in competition at this late stage of his career may not tempt him quite as much.
Al-Nassr player Cristiano Ronaldo attends the Globe Soccer Dubai Awards 2024 as a part of the Dubai International Sports Conference 2024 in Dubai
Ronaldo could make a move within Saudi Arabia or head back to Europe this summer(Image: Getty Images)
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Alternatively, a move within Saudi Arabia could be just the minor adjustment he's after. That's especially true considering there are several teams with the backing of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) that could realistically make a move work.
Al-Hilal in particular have proved themselves as heavyweights in the transfer market and only just signed Ronaldo's former Real team-mate Karim Benzema. That reunion could come with complications of its own, however, after ESPN reported Ronaldo attempted to block his move from Al-Ittihad because he felt it would gift Al-Hilal too much momentum in the hunt for this season's league title.
But if you can't beat them, join them. Literally. Not only would a potential link-up between Ronaldo and Benzema warrant its own attention, but it could give Ronaldo the simplest possible route to finally get his hands on the Saudi crown he's been craving.