Cristiano Ronaldo insisted on Thursday that he will remain with the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr next season, despite being linked to multiple clubs including Real Madrid and Newcastle.
“I am happy here — I want to continue here and I will continue here,” Ronaldo said, according to Fabrizio Romano. “Life goes very well, the league is good. The big players are all welcome. If this happens, the league will improve.”
The 38-year-old has reportedly had multiple offers from multiple clubs for his services, but confirmed he will not be returning to Europe next year.
With Karim Benzema leaving Real Madrid and Lionel Messi set to depart from Paris Saint-Germain, Ronaldo said he hopes those big stars will join him in the Saudi Pro League.
The former Manchester United striker also said his dream is for the Saudi top flight to become the “fifth” best league in the world.
“If they are coming, big players and big names, young players, old players, they are very welcome because if that happens, the league will improve,” Ronaldo continued. “Age is not important, but competing players, young players, depend on many factors.”
He presumably is referring to a player of Benzema's caliber; he is reportedly close to a two-year deal with Al-Ittihad, which could pay him more than Ronaldo and make him the league's highest-paid player.
Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Nassr for the title in 2023, finishing with 72 points while Ronaldo's club amassed 67 over 30 matches.
With the future of various top soccer stars up in the air for next season, Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer one of them.
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