Days after Cristiano Ronaldo posted a cryptic message on social media, uncertainty continues to surround his future at Al-Nassr. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who joined the Saudi Pro League side in 2022, set off widespread speculation when he shared a brief but suggestive update on his X account.
“This chapter is over,”
he told his 115 million followers, accompanying the message with a photograph of himself in Al-Nassr colours.
“The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”
The statement, although vague, sparked immediate debate about whether Ronaldo intends to part ways with the club or is simply reflecting on the end of the current season.
Despite the ambiguity of Ronaldo’s words, Al-Nassr’s sporting director Fernando Hierro offered a more grounded perspective during a press conference on Friday. Speaking with measured confidence, Hierro indicated that discussions are ongoing and that there remains hope that an agreement can be reached to keep Ronaldo at the club beyond his current contract, which expires on 30 June.
“We need to start from the beginning with Cristiano, what he meant for this league, what he means for this country,”
Hierro said, underlining the broader significance of the Portuguese forward’s decision to play in Saudi Arabia.
“He opened this country’s football and this country’s image to the world. He is a constant phenomenon. The fact that he chose to come here, to stay here, to open Saudi Arabia and its football league to the world, it is extraordinary. After he came, many more great players made the choice to come here thanks to him. He opened all the doors. People are working hard, and right now he is with his national team. He has a contract with us until June 30, and people are working and hopefully all parties involved will reach an agreement.”
Hierro’s remarks suggest that Ronaldo’s influence extends beyond the pitch, positioning him as a cultural ambassador for the league and a magnet for global footballing talent.
Adding to the intrigue is the news that Al-Nassr, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League this season, will not be participating in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on 14 June. Despite this, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed on Saturday that Ronaldo would be eligible to take part in the revamped tournament thanks to a special transfer window created specifically for the competition.
This opens the door to the possibility that Ronaldo could feature with another team — although nothing official has been announced. Meanwhile, his long-time rival Lionel Messi is set to play in the tournament with Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer club he joined after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
