Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to extend his stay in Saudi Arabia, ruling out the chance of him playing against fellow legend Lionel Messi in the MLS.
Ronaldo turns 40 next month and is out of contract with club Al-Nassr at the end of the season.
But the latest reports suggest he will sign a new one worth around $205m to continue his career in the middle east for at least another year.
Ronaldo has scored 75 goals for Al-Nassr since joining them from Manchester United in 2023, but the club has only won the Arab Club Championship with him in attack.
Best way to start the year 😜 pic.twitter.com/x1GZSv8bQN
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) January 9, 2025
And this season Al-Nassr are again off the pace in the league with Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad leading the way.
Last month the Portugal star said: “It is difficult to become champion in Saudi. This year Al-Hilal are better, Al-Ittihad are top of the league, but I believe that we have to push hard to be champions.
‘I’ve been champion everywhere I have (played) and I believe I will be champion.”
The new contract means Ronaldo would still be playing heading into the 2026 World Cup – he is the leading goalscorer in men’s international football with 135 goals – ahead of Messi, who has 112 for Argentina.
Ronaldo has not won the World Cup, with Portugal’s best finish since he started his career a semi-final defeat to France in 2006.
