The Cristiano Ronaldo drama never stops. The Portuguese superstar is reportedly 'on strike' at Al-Nassr, and bookmakers are already pricing up his next destination.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Ronaldo is set to miss Monday's match against Al-Riyadh. And it's not because of injury or illness. The 40-year-old has apparently made a pointed decision to sit this one out.
So what's got CR7 upset? Word is he's unhappy with how the club's ownership is running things. Ronaldo believes Al-Nassr isn't getting the same investment as other clubs under the Public Investment Fund, particularly rivals Al-Hilal.
The lack of January signings seems to have been the final straw. Al-Nassr only brought in one player during the winter window, and that hasn't sat well with their star man.
Where Could Ronaldo Go Next?
If these frustrations push Ronaldo toward the exit door, the bookies think America is calling. Betfair has him at 7/4 to join any MLS club, making that the favorite destination.
A romantic return to Sporting is priced at 5/2. That's where it all started for the young Ronaldo before Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Manchester United. A move to another Saudi club sits at 5/1, while sensational returns to Real Madrid or Manchester United are priced at 10/1.
It's worth noting that Ronaldo's contract runs until summer 2027. He was linked with moves away last May but ultimately stayed put. This time might be different though.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Whatever happens next, you can't argue with Ronaldo's production. He's scored an incredible 117 goals in 113 matches for Al-Nassr since joining in 2023. That's the kind of form that keeps him in demand at age 40.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner recently stated he wants to reach 1,000 career goals before retiring. He's currently sitting on 961 official goals, the most in football history. At his current pace, that milestone seems inevitable.
Ronaldo turns 41 this week but insists he has two more years in him. 'My passion is high and I want to continue,' he said at the Globe Soccer Awards. With the World Cup coming this summer, he's got plenty to play for.
Al-Nassr currently sits three points behind league leaders Al-Hilal. Losing Ronaldo would be a massive blow to their title hopes, both on the pitch and for their global profile.
