Cristiano Ronaldo's telling five-word comment that raises transfer suspicion
Cristiano Ronaldo's future in Saudi Arabia has been the subject of speculation after he refused to play for Al-Nassr amid concerns about the club's transfer business.
The 41-year-old has since made it clear that his future lies in the Gulf state, though the wording of his new comments has left some wondering whether he might entertain a move to a rival in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr midway through the 2022/23 season after things turned sour for him at Manchester United. He signed a contract extension last summer, worth a reported £492million, though frustrations over the club's wider investment surfaced this term.
Al Nassr were the early front-runners in the title race this season, winning their first 10 games on the spin. A run of one point from four games saw their grip on top spot loosen, but they have since returned to the summit after winning nine from nine since mid-January.
Ronaldo missed two of those wins, against Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad in early February, after refusing to play. He was reportedly frustrated by the decision of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which controls Al Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad, to allow Karim Benzema to move between Al Nassr's two rivals.
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The Portugal international has been in fine scoring form since returning, delivering four goals and one assist in three games. However, his statement, "I belong to Saudi Arabia" - rather than Al Nassr specifically - has prompted questions over a move to a league rival.
That is something former Ballon d'Or winner Benzema did this winter. The French striker scored a hat-trick on his Al Hilal debut but has not netted since and missed his club's last game.
Just three points separate Al Nassr and Al Hilal with 11 games left of the season, while Al Ahli sit between them in second. Ronaldo is still chasing a first Saudi Pro Leaguetitle after two runner-up finishes in his first two seasons and a run to third last year.
Jorge Jesus is now in the Al Nassr dugout, having denied them the title in 2023/24 when he was Al Hilal manager. If this season doesn't end with the team in first place, though, speculation may follow about Ronaldo's next steps.
"As I say so many times, I belong to Saudi Arabia," Ronaldo told Thmanyah Sports this month while insisting he was happy in his new home. "It's a country that welcomed very well to me and my family and my friends.
"I'm happy here. I want to continue here. And the most important, it's we keep pushing. We are there in the top. Our job is to win, make pressure [on our title rivals], and let's see.
"We are on track. We're back; we are good; we are confident. Game by game. We are in a good shape. Let's see what's going to happen."
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