Cristiano Ronaldo may be leaving Al-Nassr. After scoring his 800th club goal in a 3–2 loss to Al-Fateh, the 40-year-old posted on X (formerly Twitter): “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”
His contract ends next month, and Al-Nassr didn’t qualify for the Club World Cup. But FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Ronaldo could still feature, possibly by joining a different club that has qualified. Clubs like Brazil’s Botafogo have even been linked with the superstar.
So What? Insights
Ronaldo is still one of football’s biggest names, and FIFA’s new-look Club World Cup needs attention. The 32-team tournament kicks off in the U.S. on 15 June. Ticket sales have been slow even for games featuring Messi’s Inter Miami, so Ronaldo’s arrival could be a major boost for global viewership.
For Ronaldo, this could be one last dance on a big international stage before he makes a decision on his next club move.
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Key Implications
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FIFA appears open to allowing short-term transfers just for the Club World Cup.
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Ronaldo’s future may now involve a short-term deal instead of a full-season contract.
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The Club World Cup could become more about spectacle and star power than team loyalty.
Practical Takeaways
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Clubs have a special 10-day transfer window (1–10 June) to sign players just for the Club World Cup.
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Only a few clubs can afford Ronaldo’s massive wages, but a short-term deal could change that.
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Fans can expect transfer surprises right up to the start of the tournament.
Final Thoughts
Ronaldo’s cryptic post has sparked a wave of rumours, but what’s clear is that his story isn’t over yet. With FIFA keen to boost the Club World Cup’s profile and teams like Botafogo showing interest, we might just see CR7 make one more iconic appearance on the global stage.
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