Saudis in Talks to Transfer Ronaldo to Al Hilal

Soccer Football - Asian Champions League - Semi Final - Al Nassr v Kawasaki Frontale - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 30, 2025  Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Asian Champions League - Semi Final - Al Nassr v Kawasaki Frontale - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 30, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Stringer
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Saudis in Talks to Transfer Ronaldo to Al Hilal

Soccer Football - Asian Champions League - Semi Final - Al Nassr v Kawasaki Frontale - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 30, 2025  Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Asian Champions League - Semi Final - Al Nassr v Kawasaki Frontale - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 30, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Stringer

Saudi officials are in difficult talks to keep Cristiano Ronaldo in the country, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told AFP on Thursday, after the star footballer suggested he was leaving Al Nassr.

The Portuguese superstar could transfer to Al Hilal and feature at the upcoming Club World Club, the source said.

"First option is a transfer to Al Hilal with an opportunity to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup or to Asia champion Al Ahli," the source added.

According to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al Hilal has accepted to sign Ronaldo before the launch of the Club World Cup in the United States next month for the massive financial and technical gains it brings.

 



Ronaldo Prefers Rest to Playing in Club World Cup After Renewing Al-Nassr Contract

Football - Saudi Pro League - Cristiano Ronaldo renews Al-Nassr Contract - Red Sea, Saudi Arabia - June 26, 2025 Cristiano Ronaldo poses with Al-Nassr Chairman, Abdullah Almajeed after signing a two-year contract extension with Al-Nassr. (Al-Nassr Football Club Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Cristiano Ronaldo renews Al-Nassr Contract - Red Sea, Saudi Arabia - June 26, 2025 Cristiano Ronaldo poses with Al-Nassr Chairman, Abdullah Almajeed after signing a two-year contract extension with Al-Nassr. (Al-Nassr Football Club Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
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Ronaldo Prefers Rest to Playing in Club World Cup After Renewing Al-Nassr Contract

Football - Saudi Pro League - Cristiano Ronaldo renews Al-Nassr Contract - Red Sea, Saudi Arabia - June 26, 2025 Cristiano Ronaldo poses with Al-Nassr Chairman, Abdullah Almajeed after signing a two-year contract extension with Al-Nassr. (Al-Nassr Football Club Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Cristiano Ronaldo renews Al-Nassr Contract - Red Sea, Saudi Arabia - June 26, 2025 Cristiano Ronaldo poses with Al-Nassr Chairman, Abdullah Almajeed after signing a two-year contract extension with Al-Nassr. (Al-Nassr Football Club Media Office/Handout via Reuters)

Cristiano Ronaldo preferred to take a rest rather than play in the revamped Club World Cup, the Portuguese international said on Saturday after renewing his contract with Al-Nassr.

The Saudi Pro League club announced on Thursday that Ronaldo had signed a two-year contract which would keep him at the club past his 42nd birthday.

Speculation over the 40-year-old's plans intensified last month when FIFA President Gianni Infantino said discussions were underway about Ronaldo playing in the Club World Cup, despite Al-Nassr failing to qualify.

"I had some offers to play in the World Cup but I think it didn't make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long as it is the World Cup season at the end of the year," Ronaldo said in a video posted by Al-Nassr on X.

"I want to be ready not only for Al-Nassr but also for the national team. So, this is why I decided to play the last game for the Nations League and not listen to anything," he added.

"And of course, to be in this club, which I love".

Ronaldo scored for Portugal in the Nations League final against Spain earlier this month which ended 2-2 before his side went on to beat the European champions on penalties.

The Portugal captain said his aim in staying at Al-Nassr was to win a major trophy with the Riyadh-based side.

"My goal, it's always to win something important for Al-Nassr. And of course I still believe in that" Ronaldo added.

"This is why I renewed the two years more because I believe that I will be a champion in Saudi Arabia".

Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after leaving Manchester United as a free agent, has scored 93 goals in 105 appearances for them in all competitions.

Ronaldo is also eyeing the 1,000-goal milestone in his career. He has scored 794 goals in club football and 138 for Portugal to take his tally to 932.

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