Al Nassr wrapped up their 2024-25 campaign with a 3-2 loss to Al-Fateh, a result that not only ended their season on a sour note but also eliminated their chances of qualifying for the AFC Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net once again, but the goal proved insufficient in a must-win match. Even more telling than the defeat was the cryptic message the Portuguese star shared after the final whistle.
Taking to social media, Ronaldo posted a cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter) that many fans interpreted as a possible farewell. “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all,” he wrote, alongside a photo from the match.
The 39-year-old Portuguese star’s contract with Al Nassr is set to expire on June 30, 2025. With no formal extension announced, speculation continues to swirl around what’s next for one of the game’s all-time greats.
Whether Ronaldo aims to return to Europe, explore another continent, or focus on the upcoming Club World Cup remains unclear. What is certain, however, is that the soccer world will be watching closely as the next chapter of his storied career unfolds.
Al Nassr missed the opportunity
The stakes entering the final day were clear. Al Nassr needed a win against Al-Fateh and required Al Hilal to either draw or lose their own fixture. Al Nassr held the head-to-head tiebreaker over Al Hilal and had been handed a lifeline earlier in the week, when they were awarded three points following a successful appeal to the Sports Arbitration Center. The appeal centered around Al Orobah’s use of an ineligible player, Rafi Al Ruwaili, during Matchday 23. At the time, Al Ruwaili was still employed as a police officer, rendering him ineligible under league rules.
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But on the field, none of it came together. Al Nassr failed to handle their own business, losing to 12th-place Al-Fateh, while Al Hilal took care of business with a 2-0 win over Al Qadsiah. With both results going against them, Al Nassr’s Champions League hopes were dashed—and with them, perhaps their best pitch to convince Ronaldo to stay on for another season.
So what’s next for Ronaldo?
There’s growing chatter that the FIFA Club World Cup could be on the horizon for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. The rumor mill got a boost recently during a livestream hosted by American internet personality IShowSpeed, who was joined by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. When the topic turned to the Club World Cup, Infantino didn’t hesitate to tease the possibility of Ronaldo’s participation.
“And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams at the Club World Cup,” Infantino said. Speed reacted with surprise, asking, “Really? Wait, so Ronaldo might be in the Club World Cup?” The FIFA president doubled down: “Yeah, Cristiano Ronaldo might play at a Club World Cup. These are discussions with some clubs. So if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for a Club World Cup… who knows? There’s still some time. It would be fun.”
