Sources from CBS Sports report concerns that Cristiano Ronaldo might be headed to Al Hilal, a strong rival to Al Nasr, as PIF continues its expansion in Riyadh.
Earlier this week, Ronaldo indicated that his time at Al Nasr could be ending with the conclusion of his contract in June. Concurrently, FIFA President Gianni Infantino shared that several clubs in this summer’s Club World Cup are eager to recruit the veteran player.
One of those clubs is Al Hilal, stirring competitive tension within the Saudi league. Both Al Hilal and Al Nasr, along with Al Ittihad and Al Nassr, are backed by the PIF, but a potential loss of star talent to Al Hilal is causing frustration for Al Nasr’s camp. Sources close to the team have previously voiced their discontent over perceived interference from ownership to bring Ronaldo to Al Hilal.
Ronaldo might sign with Al Hilal temporarily for the Club World Cup before extending his contract with Al Nasr, where he is a beloved figure and the league’s leading scorer with 25 goals, earning over $150 million annually.
His remarks on Tuesday did not definitively close the door on a return to Portugal, adding, “This chapter is over, but the story continues.” Ronaldo is also reportedly being linked to Botafogo, another Club World Cup participant from Brazil.
On the other hand, Al Hilal aims to represent Saudi football prominently in the U.S. as they prepare for the upcoming tournament. Following the dismissal of Jorge Jesus, the club’s primary target for a new coach is Inter’s Simone Inzaghi, while they are also looking to secure Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, offering nearly $100 million a year.
The Al Hilal matches are set to kick off on June 18, beginning with a showdown against Real Madrid in Miami, followed by a game between Red Bull Salzburg and Pachuca.
Fan Take: The potential movement of Cristiano Ronaldo could dramatically reshape the competitive landscape of soccer in Saudi Arabia and beyond. For fans, this is not just about one player’s shift; it symbolizes growing global interest in the Saudi league and could enhance the overall quality and excitement of the sport.
