Cristiano Ronaldo's Career at a Crossroads Amid Al-Nassr Strike and Family Wishes
Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious career is under intense scrutiny as he celebrates his 41st birthday, with the football legend currently on strike at Al-Nassr. The Manchester United icon refused to play in the club's most recent match, sparking widespread speculation about his short-term and long-term future in the sport.
Furious Rows and Transfer Fallout
The immediate cause of Ronaldo's strike stems from a controversial transfer move within the Saudi Pro League. Karim Benzema, whose contract with Al-Ittihad was terminated, signed for Al-Nassr's title rivals, Al-Hilal, on a free transfer. This decision has left Ronaldo furious, as Al-Hilal now leads the league by one point. All three clubs are owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and while sources insist no rules were broken, the move has raised tensions and fears that Ronaldo could depart Saudi Arabia.
This is not the first time Ronaldo has been embroiled in public disputes. During his troubled second spell at Manchester United, he infamously clashed with manager Erik ten Hag. In a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo slammed Ten Hag, former manager Ralf Rangnick, and the Glazer family, burning bridges with the club. He later commented in September 2024, "You can't rebuild a club you don't understand," shortly before Ten Hag's sacking.
Earlier in his career, Ronaldo also had a notable row with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008, accusing United of making him a 'slave' by blocking a move to Real Madrid. Ferguson held peace talks, delaying the transfer by a year. Additionally, Ronaldo's departure from United in 2022 saw him part ways with long-time agent Jorge Mendes, though they remain 'close', with Mendes expressing pride in their relationship.
Retirement Hints and Milestone Goals
As Ronaldo ages, retirement looms larger on the horizon. He has confirmed that he will not hang up his boots until he scores his 1,000th career goal, a milestone he is currently pursuing with 961 goals to his name. Once achieved, Ronaldo plans to evaluate his future, with one theory suggesting he aims to play alongside his son, Cristiano Jr., who is part of Al-Nassr's under-15 side.
Ronaldo expressed his desire for this father-son partnership on his YouTube channel, stating, "I would like it, I would like it. It's not something that keeps me up at night, but I would like it." He acknowledged the inevitable, adding, "The years are starting to pass and obviously Cris will have to, one day, leave football, because the years I'm extending... There will come a time when it's no longer possible." His contract with Al-Nassr expires in June 2027, aligning with potential retirement plans.
This summer will also mark his final World Cup campaign, as he seeks to win one of the few trophies eluding him. In November, Ronaldo admitted he will retire 'soon', clarifying, "What I mean by soon is probably one or two years."
Mother's Wish for a Sporting Lisbon Return
If Ronaldo leaves Al-Nassr before retirement, a return to Sporting Lisbon is highly speculated, driven by his mother's heartfelt wish. Dolores Aveiro stated in 2021, "Ronaldo has to come back here. If it were my choice, he would already be here." She added, "I've already told him: 'Son, before I die, I want to see you return to Sporting'. He says: 'Let's see': But if it can't be him, then Cristianinho (his son)!" Ronaldo began his career at Sporting, breaking through as a wonderkid and impressing Manchester United in a 2003 pre-season friendly.
Post-Retirement Plans and Coaching Disinterest
Looking beyond his playing days, Ronaldo has ruled out a coaching career. In a 2024 interview with Rio Ferdinand, he explained, "For me will be difficult one day to be a coach, because I don't have passions for this generation, it's difficult especially in football, because they don't take advice by our experience. They think they know everything, they think the phones will give you good education, the TikTok, the Instagram."
Instead, Ronaldo is excited about transitioning into business, stating, "I have other things to worry about, another chapter of my life that is a business part that I'm excited about. It will be a challenge to me and learn other areas I don't know, be more involved in my business and I think will be good." This shift highlights his focus on new ventures post-retirement.
As Ronaldo navigates these challenges, his career remains a topic of global interest, with fans and analysts closely watching his next moves in football and beyond.
