RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo inked a two-year extension with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, the club announced on Thursday, following months of speculation over which team he would sign for next season.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at @AlNassrFC until 2027,” the club wrote in a post on X.
Minutes before the official confirmation, the team posted a teaser video, with the 40-year-old Ronaldo walking along a beachfront and saying: “Al Nassr forever”.
The Portuguese superstar arrived in 2023 in the Kingdom to play with the club.
Last month, Ronaldo posted “This chapter is over” hours after the Saudi Pro League wrapped up with Al Nassr finishing third and trophyless once again.
Ronaldo’s announcement in May came just months after Brazilian star Neymar ended his injury-plagued 18-month stay in January, after playing just seven times for Al Hilal.
Although Ronaldo was the Pro League’s top scorer with 25 goals, he has been unable to win a Saudi or continental trophy with Al Nassr, who lost in the Asian Champions League semi-finals last month.
Last year, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he could end his career with Al Nassr.
Saudi Arabia has been inviting stars from Europe, starting with Ronaldo’s move in late 2022, and the Kingdom will host the World Cup in 2034.
For the past two years, Saudi football fans could watch the likes of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, with six Ballons d’Or between them, on any given weekend during the football season in the Kingdom.
As Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 World Cup there is probably more to come from the Pro League.
Ronaldo appeared to trade an end-of-career payday for football obscurity when he first moved to Riyadh’s Al Nassr two years ago in a deal said to be worth $250 million at the time.
