Saudi Arabia fighting to keep Ronaldo amid Al Hilal & Al Ahli offers

Cristiano Ronaldo may have played his final game for Al Nassr, but Saudi Arabia isn’t ready to let him go just yet. 

His contract runs out on June 30, and Marca reports that the country’s top football decision-makers are pulling out all the stops to make sure the Portuguese icon remains in the Saudi Pro League (SPL).

That could mean joining one of the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) other flagship clubs. Talks are already underway to convince Ronaldo to stay in the Kingdom for at least one more season.

Rumours coming out of Saudi Arabia claim the 40-year-old star has been offered to Al Hilal and Al Ahli.

Despite the best efforts of sporting director Fernando Hierro, Ronaldo has decided to end his association with Al Nassr following yet another trophyless campaign.

Since joining the Riyadh giants in January 2023, the five-time Balon d’Or winner has scored 93 goals and weighed in with 19 assists in 105 games across all competitions.

Despite maintaining his prolific form in his fourth decade, Ronaldo has yet to taste silverware.

This season appears to be the final straw. Ronaldo ended the season with 35 goals in 41 games. He scored 25 times in 30 league games to win the Golden Boot for the second successive season.

Yet, he had no silverware to crown his efforts as Al Nassr crashed out of the AFC Champions League semi-finals against Kawasaki Frontale and missed out on the Saudi Super Cup and the King’s Cup.

To make matters worse, Al Nassr missed out on qualification for the Asian Champions League, finishing five points behind SPL runners-up Al Hilal.

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The only silverware he has picked since his exit from Manchester United in November 2023 is the Arab Club Champions Cup.

There will be speculation over Ronaldo’s next destination, but PIF are trying to move him to Al Hilal or Al Ahli, with both clubs set to feature in next season’s Asian Champions League.

Al Hilal will also play in this summer’s Club World Cup in the United States. 

A move to Al Hilal offers Ronaldo a chance to play against his former club, Real Madrid, in what would be a blockbuster moment for both club and player.