3 Potential Transfer Destinations Cristiano Ronaldo Should Consider After His Dispute With PIF at Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo is unhappy at Al-Nassr, accusing the owners, PIF, of ignoring his club and providing funds to title rivals Al-Hilal. The Portuguese superstar has now been linked with an exit from the Saudi Pro League after going on strike.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Where Next?

Ronaldo is upset with the PIF’s preferential treatment of Al-Hilal, which saw them get funds ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup last summer, and now, more players have been added to the squad despite them leading the table. In contrast, Al-Nassr signed just one player this month, an 18-year-old midfielder who is unlikely to get regular minutes on the pitch.

One of the signings at Al-Hilal was Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, and it was a key reason why Ronaldo went on strike this week and refused to play in the Al-Riyadh clash. Despite his efforts, the transfer was confirmed hours after the match.

The dramatic turn of events in the last week has thrown Ronaldo’s future into question. The 40-year-old celebrates his birthday this week, and we take a look at the best options he has should he opt to leave Saudi Arabia this summer:

1) Sporting CP

Ronaldo’s mother promised the Sporting CP fans that she would do everything possible to bring her son back to the club. He has just a couple of years left in him, and what better way to head back to the club where it all began.

Sporting CP would undoubtedly be the best option for Ronaldo as he chases the 1000 goals milestone. He needs just under 40 goals to reach the landmark, and with half the season left in the Saudi Pro League, he should get another 10 goals easily.

Luis Suárez and Fotis Ioannidis are their only striker options right now, and with the latter out injured, all the pressure has been on the Colombian. The addition of Ronaldo would not only ease the pressure on him but also help the club nurture a young forward from the academy to take over in the next 12-18 months.

2) Any Major League Soccer (MLS) side

Ronaldo’s best rivalry on the pitch has been with Lionel Messi, and fans would be keen on seeing them reignite it one last time. Both superstars are in the twilight of their careers, and a final face-off would see them push each other to their limits, helping them end it on a high note.

LAFC and LA Galaxy are the ideal clubs for Ronaldo, as they have over $100 million in revenue and a valuation of over $1 billion, making them the only clubs that can afford his wages without any trouble.

Teaming up with Heung-min Son at LAFC would be the best solution, as he would get the help he needs. While a move to LA Galaxy would bring in more eyeballs to the club than Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Beckham did during their spells.

MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo Has Blocked 2 Other Transfers After Deciding to Stand in Way of Benzema Joining Al-Hilal

3) Real Madrid

Ronaldo’s best stint in his career was the nine seasons at Real Madrid. He helped them win trophies in almost every season at the club, scoring goals for fun and taking the already famous club to another level.

In a 2024 interview, the Portuguese superstar spoke about his desire to help Kylian Mbappe. A return to Santiago Bernabéu would not only be helpful to the Frenchman but also ideal for Ronaldo, providing the perfect ending to his career: passing the torch to his successor, and finishing at the top level.

He will have to settle for a bench role, but starting in spare games and getting goals regularly off the bench would be the best way to extend his career after he turns 41 this week.