Cristiano Ronaldo could be on the move, with reports suggesting there's trouble in paradise at Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo of team Al-Nassr FC during the Saudi Pro League game between Al Nassr and Al Taawoun at Al Awwal Park
Cristiano Ronaldo's recent fallout at Al-Nassr reopens the discussion regarding the Manchester United icon's next move(Image: Abdullah Ahmed, Getty Images)
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Manchester United supporters are bound to be on high alert whenever there's chatter about Cristiano Ronaldo potentially changing clubs. And it seems the Old Trafford legend might be set for another move amid rumours of unrest at Al-Nassr.
Reports have surfaced indicating Ronaldo is on strike in Riyadh and refusing to take to the pitch for his current club. The alleged protest is apparently due to Ronaldo's dissatisfaction with Al-Nassr's lack of transfer activity as he strives to secure his first league title in Saudi Arabia.
If this door does indeed close, it could open a window of opportunity for other clubs. Even after celebrating his 41st birthday on Thursday, Ronaldo will not be lacking in options.
Speculation of a return to United has even begun to circulate ahead of the next turning point in Cristiano's career. As such, Mirror Football has examined some of the potential paths he could realistically take, including a possible reunion with long-time adversary Lionel Messi.
Old Trafford comeback
There are those at Old Trafford who would gladly welcome Ronaldo back, even if it wasn't in a playing role. This comes after former team-mate Wes Brown suggested the Portugal captain could be "perfect" for a boardroom position.
Some are sure to remain sceptical about whether the iconic striker possesses the nous required for a boardroom role. Particularly as the Red Devils are finally beginning to demonstrate signs of coherent planning following years of baffling recruitment decisions off the field.
Yet having shared a dressing room with Ronaldo, Brown reckons he's got the credentials for such a transition. However, he acknowledges much will hinge on what the Portuguese superstar wants to do next, especially after his second spell at the Theatre of Dreams fizzled out disappointingly in 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in 2009.
Ronaldo's United link could be revived this summer(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."
Regardless, it's tricky to picture Ronaldo hanging up his boots just yet. The five-time Ballon d'Or champion sits just 39 strikes shy of the mythical 1,000-goal milestone he's been chasing for years, making it virtually guaranteed he'll extend his playing career for at least another season.
Lionel Messi reunion
Among all the leagues beyond Saudi Arabia where Ronaldo might reach that milestone, Major League Soccer appears an ideal destination. Deep down, supporters globally would simply relish the prospect of another showdown with Messi.
The most legendary individual rivalry in the modern sport seemingly reached its finale in January 2023. It was then that Messi's Paris Saint-Germain triumphed 5-4 over a combined Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal side in a friendly exhibition.
Yet the former Barcelona and Real Madrid adversaries might orchestrate one final chapter stateside. Messi remains in brilliant form for Inter Miami and is tied to David Beckham's club through 2028, providing ample opportunity for the pair to face off several more times should Ronaldo relocate to America.
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
The greatest rivalry in modern football could be resurrected if Ronaldo moves to MLS(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
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Some might even fantasise about Ronaldo and Messi playing alongside each other. Though fitting Ronaldo into Inter Miami's already stretched wage structure would likely prove impossible.
That said, nothing prevents another MLS club from exploiting similar Designated Player regulations to accommodate Ronaldo's substantial earnings. The league's track record of providing elite strikers the perfect platform to boost their scoring records could prove irresistible.
Alternative moves
Should Ronaldo depart Al-Nassr in the near future, he'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to his next destination. A sentimental return to Sporting CP, where his journey began, could be a possibility, though such a move might be driven more by nostalgia than practicality.
Ronaldo joined Sporting's academy aged 12 and had barely begun his professional career when Sir Alex Ferguson swooped in. That said, the appeal of stepping up the competition at this stage of his career might not be particularly strong.
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 is bound to have his pick of moves if he decides to leave Al-Nassr(Image: Getty Images)
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Alternatively, a switch within Saudi Arabia could provide the modest change he's seeking. This is particularly feasible given several clubs backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) could realistically make such a transfer happen.
Al-Hilal especially have demonstrated their financial muscle in the transfer market and recently secured Ronaldo's former Real colleague Karim Benzema. However, that reunion could bring its own complications after ESPN reported Ronaldo tried to prevent his move from Al-Ittihad, because he believed it would hand Al-Hilal excessive advantage in this season's title race.
But if you can't beat them, join them. Not only would a potential partnership between Ronaldo and Benzema generate significant interest, but it could offer Ronaldo the most straightforward path to finally claiming the Saudi championship he's longed for.
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