Cristiano Ronaldo Wants Wesley Sneijder to Come Out of Retirement and Join Al-Nassr for His 1,000th Goal

Cristiano Ronaldo has never been shy about setting audacious targets, but even by his standards, the next milestone on his radar feels monumental. Having already surpassed 870 career goals for club and country, the Portuguese superstar is eyeing the scarcely believable figure of 1,000 career goals before he finally hangs up his boots. And in a twist that combines nostalgia with ambition, Ronaldo has apparently expressed his desire for an old teammate, Wesley Sneijder, to come out of retirement and join him at Al-Nassr — so that the Dutch playmaker can provide the assist for that historic strike.

It is the kind of story that sounds like a footballing fantasy, but in Ronaldo’s world, where record-breaking feats are routine, it doesn’t feel entirely out of reach.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Road to 1,000 Goals at Al-Nassr

Ronaldo extended his stay in Saudi Arabia in June by signing a fresh two-year contract with Al-Nassr. That deal runs through to the summer of 2027, giving him ample time to chase the ultimate landmark.

The 40-year-old has started the 2025-26 season with typical determination, already netting four goals in his last three outings for club and country. Each finish has moved him a little closer to four figures, with fans and analysts alike beginning to ask the same question: can he actually do it?

For Ronaldo, the answer is clear. He has spoken often about redefining the limits of longevity in football, taking inspiration from athletes like LeBron James and Tom Brady who extended their careers at the very highest level. His training regime, diet, and relentless drive all point toward a man who genuinely believes 1,000 goals is possible.

The Wesley Sneijder Connection

So where does Wesley Sneijder fit into this story? The Dutch legend, now 41, retired from professional football in 2019 after glittering spells at Ajax, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray. A Champions League winner with Inter and a World Cup finalist with the Netherlands, Sneijder was one of the finest playmakers of his generation.

His path briefly crossed with Ronaldo’s at Real Madrid in 2009. Sneijder departed the Bernabéu that summer, just weeks after Ronaldo arrived in a then-world record move from Manchester United. Their careers barely overlapped at club level, but there was mutual respect.

Now, more than 15 years later, Ronaldo has reportedly floated the idea of bringing Sneijder out of retirement — with a very specific purpose. According to Sneijder himself, the request was relayed through Simão Coutinho, Al-Nassr’s new technical director and a close friend of Ronaldo.

Sneijder revealed:

“I started talking to him and joked about a contract with Al-Nassr. Apparently the technical director put it to Ronaldo. Ronaldo was keen. He told Coutinho he should sign me so I could assist his 1,000th goal.”

It is a remarkable admission, one that blends humor with just enough seriousness to make people wonder if Ronaldo might actually try to make it happen.

Could Sneijder Really Join Al-Nassr?

Real Madrid v Murcia – La Liga

On the surface, the idea sounds fanciful. Sneijder has been retired for six years, enjoys life away from the game, and hasn’t shown signs of wanting a professional comeback. Yet football has seen stranger comebacks before.

Legends like Paul Scholes and Arjen Robben have returned from retirement spells to lace up their boots once more. Even if Sneijder were to feature in a cameo role, brought on late in a match purely to play the part of supplier for Ronaldo’s milestone, the spectacle alone would be box-office entertainment.

The Saudi Pro League, already known for its ambitious pursuit of big names, would surely relish such a storyline. With Ronaldo already the league’s poster boy, adding another global star — even in a symbolic capacity — would only add to its growing international profile.

The Legacy of Ronaldo and Sneijder

Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr 2025

Part of what makes this story so intriguing is the shared history. Sneijder’s prime years, particularly at Inter under José Mourinho, came at a time when Ronaldo was cementing himself as the world’s most feared goalscorer at Real Madrid.

Though they didn’t spend long as teammates, their careers are inextricably linked by an era where both were among the game’s elite. Sneijder, in fact, was famously considered unlucky to miss out on the 2010 Ballon d’Or after inspiring Inter to a historic treble and the Netherlands to the World Cup final.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, went on to claim five Ballon d’Ors, four Champions League crowns with Madrid, and countless individual records. The idea of these two icons joining forces again — even briefly — feels like football’s way of giving fans one last nostalgic moment.

Ronaldo’s 1,000-Goal Dream

Whether Sneijder plays a part or not, the focus inevitably returns to Ronaldo’s pursuit of 1,000 goals. If he maintains his current scoring rate, the milestone could arrive before his Al-Nassr contract expires. And when it does, it will be celebrated as one of the most extraordinary achievements in sporting history.

Ronaldo himself has shown no signs of slowing down. He continues to score headers, free-kicks, and tap-ins with the same hunger he had two decades ago. More importantly, he continues to shape matches, inspire teammates, and command global attention.

His 1,000th goal, when it arrives, will be more than just a number. It will symbolize a career defined by obsession, consistency, and the refusal to settle for anything less than greatness.

What Comes Next for Ronaldo and Al-Nassr

For now, Ronaldo’s immediate focus is on Al-Nassr’s domestic campaign. The Saudi side take on Al-Kholood this Sunday, with their captain once again expected to lead the charge. Every match, every goal, every minute feels like another step in his long march toward immortality.

Whether or not Sneijder joins the adventure, the story has already added an extra layer of intrigue to Ronaldo’s twilight years. It’s a reminder that even at 40, he is still capable of surprising the football world — not just with goals, but with the narratives he creates.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wesley Sneijder: Could Al-Nassr See a Reunion for the 1,000th Goal?

The idea of Cristiano Ronaldo wanting Wesley Sneijder to come out of retirement and join him at Al-Nassr may have started as a joke, but like many things in Ronaldo’s career, the line between fantasy and reality often blurs. What is certain is that Ronaldo’s quest for 1,000 goals is real, and he will stop at nothing to achieve it.

If Sneijder does play a part — even for a few magical minutes — it would be a fitting nod to a golden era of football. And if not, Ronaldo’s 1,000th goal will still stand as a moment that defines not just his career, but the sport itself.