Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed the summer's Euros would be his last. He failed to deliver and push Portugal past the quarterfinals, raising doubts about his future contributions to the national team.
However, the 39-year-old still has some gas left in his tank and can certainly make an impact on any second-tier squad for at least a few more years. Last year's move to Al Nassr FC was the perfect fit for CR7. What the Saudis have in terms of finances, they lack in competition, so Ronaldo was easily able to dominate the league, end as its record-breaking top goalscorer, and earn a staggering €200 million in the process.
But what will happen when Cristiano’s contract expires in 2025? Some reports indicate that he plans to extend it, while other rumors suggest a move to the MLS might also be in the cards.
Will Ronaldo Go Messi’s Way?
It’s become customary for soccer superstars to conclude their professional careers across the pond. This trend was started by David Beckham and his arrival at LA Galaxy in 2007 and continued with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, Thierry Henry, and, most recently, Lionel Messi.
Messi’s move to Inter Miami resulted in a shaky first season, with the team scraping for points despite the Argentinian’s best efforts. However, the 2024 season saw Inter Miami improve significantly, and the Messi effect began to show. Just the fact that Inter Miami was favored in almost every game Messi appeared in speaks volumes about the impact he can still have on the soccer field.
Consequently, there's no doubt that many MLS teams would love to sign someone like Cristiano Ronaldo. Besides being great for their marketing, Ronaldo could still contribute to many teams' success and help them win trophies even at 40 and nearly a decade past his prime. If he can score 35 goals in Saudi Arabia and make his team a contender, he can surely have a similar impact regardless of where he ends up playing in the US.
Al Nassr Plans to Renew Ronaldo's Contract
Al Nassr will undoubtedly want to keep Ronaldo, and they have the means to do so. The new contract will most likely come with a pay increase, which is already at €200 million per year. Another reason for the Saudis to hold onto CR7 is the upcoming TV rights cycle, which kicks in at the start of the 2025/26 season.
Few clubs can match what Al Nassr can currently offer to the Portuguese superstar. No top-flight club in Europe wants to pay that much for Ronaldo, who will be 40 at the time, while no one in the MLS can afford it.
For comparison, Messi’s base salary in Inter Miami is $12 million with a cap just north of $20 million. Although some teams can pay Ronaldo more, no MLS team can compete with the Saudi League paychecks.
What Ronaldo Wants
Although Ronaldo’s move to MLS won’t make much sense from a financial standpoint, it’s ultimately on the five-time UCL winner to decide where he wants to spend the twilight of his illustrious career. Playing in the US would certainly be a fun new experience and would potentially serve as a great preparation for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America which would be his last chance to play for Portugal.
Still, Ronaldo hasn’t hinted at wanting out of Al Nassr, even saying he’s “back where he belongs” upon returning to the team’s training camp after the Euros. For now, it’s just a matter of waiting and watching what happens at the end of the upcoming season.