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Is it clip for Portugal to look for a Ronaldo replacement? (2:28)
The "ESPN FC" unit sermon whether Portugal request to look for a caller striker earlier the 2026 World Cup. (2:28)
Adriana Garcia
Jun 9, 2025, 03:41 AM ET
Cristiano Ronaldo has ended speculation regarding his aboriginal by confirming helium volition stay astatine Al Nassr.
Ronaldo's declaration with the Saudi Pro League nine expires connected June 30.
The Portugal skipper said helium had been courted by clubs participating successful the Club World Cup but aft winning the UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal connected Sunday he clarified: "Future? Nothing volition change. Al Nassr? Yes."
Al Nassr's sporting manager Fernando Hierro said past month they were negotiating with Ronaldo implicit a declaration hold but faced contention to clasp the services of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Reports claimed Ronaldo, 40, had received a lucrative connection from an unnamed Brazilian nine portion helium was besides a reported people of Al Nassr's Saudi rivals Al Hilal.
Ronaldo adjacent hinted past period helium could permission the club aft Al Nassr's season-ending lucifer astatine Al Fateh, posting connected societal media: "This section is over. The story? Still being written."
Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi outfit successful December 2022 aft leaving Manchester United, finished for a 2nd consecutive play arsenic the apical scorer successful the Saudi Pro League. He scored 25 league goals this play but Al Nassr finished a disappointing 3rd and missed retired connected a spot successful adjacent season's prestigious AFC Champions League.
Despite scoring 99 goals successful 105 matches for Al Nassr, Ronaldo has missed retired connected large trophies, winning lone the Arab Club Champions Cup successful 2023 since his arrival. He did, however, assistance his 3rd rubric with Portugal connected Sunday.
Ronaldo scored his 138th planetary extremity to assistance Portugal bushed Spain 5-3 connected penalties aft a 2-2 draw successful Sunday's final.
The erstwhile Real Madrid prima had antecedently captained Portugal to the 2016 European Championship and 2019 Nations League.
"Winning for Portugal is ever special," Ronaldo said. "I person galore titles with clubs, but thing is amended than winning for Portugal. It's tears. It's work done and a batch of joy."
