Portugal’s legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed his decision to extend his stay with Al Nassr until 2027, effectively committing to the Saudi Pro League side well into his 40s. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner revealed that he turned down offers from clubs participating in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, citing the need for proper rest and preparation ahead of what he termed a “very long season”.
“I had some offers to play in the [Club] 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 told Al Nassr’s official media.
“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. And of course, to be in this club, which I love,” he added.
At 40, Ronaldo continues to defy age and expectations. Earlier this month, he led Portugal to another international triumph, clinching the UEFA Nations League title with a win over Spain in the final. Despite the intense speculation around his future following the expiration of his previous deal, Ronaldo opted to stay loyal to Al Nassr.
Since joining Al Nassr in December 2022, Ronaldo has helped the club secure the Arab Club Champions Cup but is yet to win the Saudi Pro League (SPL) title. The team finished as runners-up in the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons and placed third in the 2024–25 campaign.
Individually, Ronaldo remains a scoring machine. He has amassed a staggering 932 career goals — 794 at the club level and 138 for the Portugal national team — and has publicly expressed his ambition to reach the milestone of 1,000 goals.
With his new contract in place, Ronaldo is set to stay in Riyadh at least until he turns 42, aiming to add more silverware to Al Nassr’s cabinet and continue his remarkable football journey.
