Cristiano floats Al Nassr departure

Questions swirled over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, hours after the superstar indicated he might be leaving Al Nassr in a social media post, just hours following the end of the Saudi Pro League season.

The 40-year-old Portuguese forward joined Al Nassr in 2022 from Manchester United and his contract with the Saudi club ends this summer.

A special transfer window runs from 1 to 10 June to allow the 32 clubs involved in the Club World Cup to sign players.

Al-Nassr is not at the Club World Cup unlike fellow Saudi side Al Hilal.

International Football Federation (FIFA) president Gianni Infantino last week said “there are discussions” over the former United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon star playing at the enlarged tournament in the United States starting on 14 June.

“This chapter is over,” Ronaldo cryptically said on social media with a photo of him in an Al Nassr shirt.

“The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”

Ronaldo’s potential exit from Saudi Arabia will likely raise fresh questions about how the Saudi Pro League would fare in his absence, with rumors already circulating of other ageing football stars eyeing opportunities in the kingdom.

On Monday, Simone Inzaghi played down rumors he is set to leave Inter Milan after the Champions League final amid widespread reports of interest from Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.

Ronaldo’s announcement comes just months after Brazilian star Neymar ended his injury-plagued 18 month stay in the kingdom, where he played just seven times with Al Hilal after joining the club in August 2023 -- despite a reported salary of around $104 million a year.

The cryptic post from Ronaldo comes after Al Nassr lost in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League last month to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale and finished third in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo was the league’s top goal scorer on 25.

Last year, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he could end his career with Al Nassr.

Ronaldo’s great rival Lionel Messi will play at the Club World Cup with Inter Miami.