Al-Nassr stay or Al-Hilal move? Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision may already be made as 2025 FIFA Club World Cup nears

As the countdown to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup begins, speculation surrounding the future of one of soccer’s most iconic figures has set social media ablaze. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has spent the last two years at Al-Nassr, appears to be at a crossroads. With the Club World Cup drawing near and Saudi Arabia’s top clubs plotting their moves, whispers of a sensational transfer have surfaced: could the five-time Ballon d’Or winner don a new shirt before the tournament kicks off?

With Al-Hilal the only Saudi representative in the newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14 in the United States, the club is under pressure to deliver a squad worthy of the global stage. Backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) — the financial behemoth controlling Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli — the club has been tasked with assembling a side that can match Europe’s elite.

Local media, most notably Okaz, ignited rumors of a blockbuster move, reporting that Al-Hilal’s board had finalized terms with Cristiano Ronaldo in coordination with the PIF. “In a major development that could send shockwaves across the global football community, Al-Hilal’s board of directors has agreed to a proposal to sign Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo,” the newspaper claimed.

According to Okaz, the issues that derailed earlier discussions — namely, Ronaldo being asked to give up the captaincy and a guaranteed starting role — were resolved. “The player and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund have finalized terms as set by the club’s leaders,” it stated.

Conflicting signals

Adding fuel to the speculation, Ronaldo posted cryptically on social media just hours after the Saudi Pro League concluded: “This chapter is over.” The timing — combined with Al-Nassr’s third-place, trophyless finish — only amplified rumors that his tenure at the club might be coming to an end.

A source from the PIF told AFP, “There is an ongoing difficult negotiation to convince Ronaldo to stay and play in the Saudi Pro League next season.” They confirmed that a transfer to Al-Hilal for the Club World Cup remained on the table, as did a possible move to AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli.

Yet even as journalists like Ahmad Al-Ajlan and Walid Al-Faraj confirmed that talks were progressing, Al-Hilal’s rivals were not sitting idle. Al-Nassr released a statement hoping to renew the superstar’s contract, which expires June 30. The club insisted: “We are in contact to renew Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract and we really hope he continues with us here at Al-Nassr.”

The twist: Ronaldo’s answer revealed

Just as the soccer world braced for a seismic transfer, a trusted voice delivered the definitive update. Fabrizio Romano, via journalist Al Tamimi, reported on X (formerly Twitter) that the 40-year-old had rejected Al-Hilal’s offer.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has said no to Al-Hilal move,” posted Al Tamimi. Despite the efforts by the PIF and the Blue Waves’ board, the Portuguese has decided to remain with Al-Nassr — at least for now.