Transfer Centre

Cristiano Ronaldo 'wants to leave Al-Nassr'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 02 May 2023

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave Al-Nassr only a few months after joining the Saudi Arabian giants.

Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo supposedly wants to leave the Saudi Arabian club only a few months after penning a €200m (£175.2m) contract.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's position at Manchester United became untenable before the World Cup due to a bombshell interview he gave close friend Piers Morgan.

Having blasted the club's structure and admitted that he held no respect for Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo's contract was terminated by mutual consent prior to the World Cup in Qatar.

Ronaldo was initially hopeful of continuing in Europe due to his desire to win another Champions League, but no offers from the continent were forthcoming, despite links with Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon.

As a result, the 38-year-old was lured to Saudi Arabia with a mammoth contract, signing a three-year deal with Al-Nassr and immediately being given the armband.

Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo pictured during a training session on January 3, 2023 © Reuters

Ronaldo has contributed 12 goals and two assists in 15 appearances during a quick start to life in the Saudi Pro League, although Al-Nassr sit three points behind Al-Ittihad in the table having played a game more.

Furthermore, the Portugal international was filmed reacting angrily to Al-Nassr's defeat to the league leaders in March, and members of the team's staff were the targets of his frustrations in last month's King's Cup exit to Al-Wehda.

Now, a report from El Nacional states that Ronaldo is already pining for an early exit from the Saudi giants, having found it "tremendously" challenging to adapt to life in Saudi Arabia.

The report adds that the language barrier is also proving to be a stumbling block for the former Real Madrid man, who is yearning for a return to the Spanish capital alongside his partner Georgina Rodriguez.

Ronaldo apparently pleaded with Real president Florentino Perez to bring him back to the Santiago Bernabeu for a second spell at the club, but the 76-year-old turned down his request, and Carlo Ancelotti agreed.

Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo pictured on January 3, 2022 © Reuters

Given his burning desire to return to Spain, Ronaldo is also alleged to have been close to joining Atletico Madrid during his time at Man United, but fan uproar led to the move collapsing.

While Real Madrid are not prepared to welcome Ronaldo back in a playing capacity, Perez would reportedly be happy to hire the striker as a club ambassador or within the club's sports organisational unit.

Such a career change would require Ronaldo to hang up his boots, but the 38-year-old affirmed last year that he wants to play at Euro 2024, suggesting that he is not thinking about an imminent retirement.

A glittering nine-year spell at Real Madrid saw Ronaldo win a total of 16 major honours between 2009 and 2018, including five Champions League titles, three Club World Cups and two La Liga crowns.

The ex-Juventus forward remains Los Blancos' all-time top goalscorer with 450 goals from 438 appearances, 98 more than closest rival Karim Benzema.