Christiano Ronaldo Set to Leave Saudi Arabia

Ronaldo’s Performance in Saudi Arabia Remains Strong Despite Age

Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly announced that his time with Saudi club Al-Nassr has come to an end, though he says "the story" is still unfolding, signaling the close of a complex two-year chapter.

For Ronaldo, the partnership was a success. Even at 40, he proved he could still score like few others. In 104 matches with Al-Nassr, he scored 90 goals and claimed the league’s top scorer title twice. This scoring rate closely matches what he achieved during his peak years in England, Spain, and Italy. Although his prime is behind him, his performance remained more than enough for the Saudi league.

This chapter is over.
The story? Still being written.
Grateful to all.

Christiano Ronaldo, Instagram

Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious Sports Strategy Centered Around Ronaldo

Ronaldo’s transfer to Al-Nassr in January 2023 was more than just a player signing - it was a key part of Saudi Arabia’s plan to change its image and economy. The country’s “Vision 2030” aims to move away from oil dependency by investing heavily in sports and entertainment. Ronaldo became a global symbol for this vision, inspiring young Saudis and drawing international attention. This strategy also involved bringing many top football stars like Neymar, Firmino, and Sadio Mané to the Saudi league, helping to raise its profile worldwide.

Success on the Field and Controversies Off It

While Ronaldo’s arrival and the subsequent investments led to on-field successes, but there is a darker side. Saudi Arabia remains a country with a terrible human rights record. The Saudi government maintains strict control over the media, enforces severe penalties for same-sex relationships, and follows a legal system based on Islamic Sharia law. This includes punishments such as public beheadings, and the country carries out one of the highest numbers of executions in the world - close to one per day in recent times.. The murder and dismembering of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is widely linked to orders from the country’s leadership. Ronaldo, while a major public figure and ambassador, has not publicly addressed these issues or acted as a bridge between Western and Islamic cultures.

Ronaldo’s Legacy: Beyond Football

Though his skills on the pitch have slowed, Ronaldo’s influence continues in other areas. His Instagram followers grew to over 650 million - 120 million more since moving to Saudi Arabia - making him one of the most followed people worldwide. He recently appeared as a playable character in the popular video game Fatal Fury, a sign of how the Saudi royal family is investing in e-sports and entertainment industries. Looking ahead, Ronaldo will join Portugal for the Nations League semi-final in Munich and could still be signed by a club for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup during a special transfer window, showing that the “CR7” brand remains strong even as his playing days near their end.