Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Al Nassr in doubt after team won 9-0 without him

By Hoang Nguyen May 14, 2025 | 03:02 pm PT

Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Al Nassr has been questioned after the Saudi Pro League club cruised to a 9-0 win in his absence, prompting fans to wonder whether his time with the team is coming to an end.

Ronaldo, 40, joined Al Nassr in 2023 and has scored an impressive 91 goals in 103 appearances, including 23 goals in 28 games this season. However, his efforts have not been enough to send the team to the top of the league. With just three games remaining, Al Nassr sit third, trailing league leaders Al-Ittihad by 11 points.

On May 10, Spanish outlet Marca reported that Ronaldo had halted negotiations over a new two-year deal with the club, citing dissatisfaction with the team's poor performance this season.

Two days later, Al Nassr played without Ronaldo as he missed the match against Al Akhdoud due to fitness concerns. Despite his absence, the team delivered a dominant performance. Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane scored four goals and ex-Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran added a brace in the emphatic 9-0 victory.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal during Al Nassr's 4-1 win over Yokohama F. Marinos in the AFC Champions League quarterfinals at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on April 26, 2025. Photo by Al Nassr

Fans quickly took to social media to speculate about Ronaldo’s role at the club.

One commented: "That’s just a weak team... if we look at all the matches Ronaldo didn’t play this season. Almost every one of them was either a loss or a draw."

Another added: "Ronaldo on the bench realizing he could have bagged 4 goals to reach 1,000 early."

"It’s so clear that Portugal & Al Nassr are better without Ronaldo... shame on him!" one fan wrote.

Amid the speculation, fans have been eager to hear from Ronaldo himself.

In 2024, Ronaldo mentioned his future at Al Nassr.

"I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr," Ronaldo said in an interview with Portuguese TV channel Now, as quoted by TNT Sports.

"I’m happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I’m happy to play in Saudi Arabia, and I want to continue."

Since joining Al Nassr in January 2023, Ronaldo has participated in 16 competitions but has won only one official title, the Arab Club Champions Cup, which is recognized by FIFA. He is on course to become the first professional footballer in history to reach 1,000 goals.