Cristiano Ronaldo’s Next Club: Lionel Messi Link-Up in MLS, Third Stint at Man Utd & the Seven Options for CR7 if He Leaves Al-Nassr

Why does Cristiano Ronaldo always seem to attract chaos? From Manchester United to Saudi Arabia, the seven realistic destinations if CR7 walks away

Why does Cristiano Ronaldo always seem to have so much bad luck? Or perhaps, depending on your point of view, why does drama always seem to follow him?

First, Erik ten Hag failed to appreciate his unrivalled goal-scoring pedigree at Manchester United. Then Fernando Santos sidelined him at the 2022 World Cup, derailing what many believed was Ronaldo’s final shot at football’s greatest prize. And now, just when he was meant to be ruling Saudi football without resistance, the structures around him appear to be conspiring against him once again.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s trophy drought in the Middle East is stretching uncomfortably towards four seasons. And for a player whose entire career has been built on winning — obsessively, relentlessly — that simply isn’t acceptable.

According to reports, Ronaldo has effectively gone on strike at Al-Nassr. The reason? A growing sense of betrayal. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner believes the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has prioritised rival clubs — Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli — while leaving Al-Nassr lagging behind in the transfer market.

That frustration has boiled over into open protest.

Ronaldo, Al-Nassr and a Saudi power struggle

Ronaldo’s anger reportedly reached such a level that he attempted to block Karim Benzema’s late transfer from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, seeing it as a move designed to hand Al-Hilal a decisive edge in the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title race.

The deal went through anyway.

In response, Ronaldo refused to feature in Al-Nassr’s derby clash with Al-Riyadh and could yet boycott their upcoming match against Benzema’s former club, Al-Ittihad. If no changes are made to the way PIF operates in the coming weeks, Ronaldo is expected to formally request an exit from Al-Awwal Park at the end of the season.

And honestly, who could blame him?

Yes, Al-Nassr spent money in the summer. Eight new signings arrived, including Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman for a combined €90 million, plus experienced defender Inigo Martinez following his La Liga Team of the Season campaign with Barcelona. On paper, it’s not insignificant investment.

But when compared to Al-Hilal’s spending — over €650 million — it feels underwhelming. Ronaldo didn’t move to Saudi Arabia to finish second best.

Forget the fact that PIF funded his eye-watering contract extension in June. In Ronaldo’s mind, this is about ambition, legacy and respect. And right now, he feels short-changed.

So if Cristiano Ronaldo does leave Al-Nassr, where could he go next?

Manchester United: a third stint at Old Trafford?

Ronaldo-Man-Utd-2022-23

It sounds absurd. And yet, with Cristiano Ronaldo, nothing is ever truly off the table.

Ronaldo scored 27 goals in 54 appearances during his second spell at Manchester United after returning in 2021. That return ended in acrimony, public interviews and accusations of “disrespect” aimed squarely at Erik ten Hag.

But four years on, the landscape has shifted again.

“I’m sad because Manchester United is one of the most important clubs in the world,” Ronaldo said in his now-infamous Piers Morgan interview. “It’s a club that I still have in my heart.”

He went further, outlining exactly what he believed the club was missing: structure, football people, identity.

Michael Carrick’s recent appointment as interim manager suggests that some of Ronaldo’s criticisms may not have fallen on deaf ears. A third stint would be chaotic, headline-grabbing and deeply divisive — but also box-office.

There’s also a footballing angle. United’s £74m signing Benjamin Sesko could learn a huge amount from sharing a dressing room with Ronaldo, even if it meant playing second fiddle for a season. Whether the club is willing to reopen old wounds is another question entirely.

Real Madrid: one last dance at the Bernabeu

TOPSHOT-FBL-EUR-C1-LIVERPOOL-REAL MADRID

For many fans, this is the most romantic option of all.

“My time at Real Madrid was the happiest of my career,” Ronaldo said in January 2025. And it’s hard to argue with him. Four Champions Leagues, countless goals, and a legacy that still towers over the Bernabeu.

Madrid are currently navigating a turbulent period, with Alvaro Arbeloa attempting to stabilise the club following Xabi Alonso’s ill-fated seven-month reign. In times of uncertainty, nostalgia can be powerful.

Kylian Mbappe, Madrid’s current star, has openly described Ronaldo as his idol. The chance to train alongside him — even briefly — would be a dream scenario for the Frenchman.

But there are obvious tactical concerns. Madrid’s biggest weakness is already a lack of defensive work from their forwards. Adding Ronaldo to that mix would hardly solve the issue.

Still, football doesn’t always follow logic. Sometimes it follows emotion.

Newcastle United: Saudi ownership, Premier League spotlight

Manchester United v Newcastle United – Premier League

Newcastle United are uniquely positioned. Like Al-Nassr, they are majority-owned by PIF. In fact, Ronaldo’s original Al-Nassr contract reportedly included a clause allowing him to join Newcastle if they qualified for the Champions League.

That move never happened. But circumstances change.

Newcastle are currently struggling, hovering in the Premier League’s bottom half. A signing like Ronaldo would instantly transform expectations, attention and pressure. He would become the most high-profile player in the club’s history overnight.

It would mean sidelining expensive forwards like Nick Woltemade and Yoanne Wissa — but neither comes close to Ronaldo’s aura.

It’s a gamble. If it fails, it could set the project back years. If it succeeds, it could redefine Newcastle’s modern era.

Inter Miami: Ronaldo and Messi at last?

Messi Ronaldo split 2025

Football fans have dreamed of this for over a decade.

Lionel Messi is already in Miami. David Beckham has already proven he can pull off the impossible. So why not Cristiano Ronaldo?

Former Arsenal midfielder Anders Limpar summed it up perfectly: “Zlatan was there. Messi is there now. Can you imagine Ronaldo joining him?”

Ronaldo has previously dismissed MLS as inferior to the Saudi Pro League. But if he joined Inter Miami, the league would instantly become bigger — commercially, culturally, globally.

Messi has won back-to-back MVP awards and delivered Inter Miami their first MLS Cup. Add Ronaldo’s relentless mentality to that dressing room and chaos — glorious chaos — would follow.

It could be beautiful. Or it could be combustible. Probably both.

Sporting CP: the fairytale ending

Cristiano Ronaldo Sporting 11082002

For pure romance, nothing comes close to Sporting CP.

Ronaldo’s boyhood club. The place where it all began.

His mother, Dolores Aveiro, has publicly begged him to return. Former team-mate Ricardo Sa Pinto called it “a beautiful story that only happens once.”

Ronaldo spent six years at Sporting but only played 31 senior matches and never won a trophy there. There is unfinished business.

Sporting may lack the prestige of other options, but emotionally, this move would mean everything. Even if it ended without silverware, it would feel right.

Another Saudi club: if you can’t beat them…

Al-Ittihad v Al-Nassr: Saudi Pro League

If money remains a priority, Saudi Arabia is still the safest bet.

Al-Hilal, in particular, loom large. They have outspent everyone, dominated domestically and already boast Benzema, Neymar, Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo.

PIF reportedly wanted Ronaldo at Al-Hilal before the 2025 Club World Cup. Reuniting Ronaldo and Benzema — a partnership that conquered Europe at Real Madrid — could be the ultimate Saudi statement.

Ronaldo would likely end his trophy drought and reclaim his status as the face of Saudi football. Al-Nassr fans would feel betrayed, but history suggests that has never stopped him before.

Retirement? Not yet

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal vs Hungary

Retirement is always mentioned. And always dismissed.

“I’m still producing good things,” Ronaldo said recently. “Why stop?”

He’s just 39 goals away from 1,000 career goals. Portugal still see him as a key figure ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Roberto Martinez insists Ronaldo remains “a gift”.

And maybe that’s the truth. Even now, Cristiano Ronaldo is bigger than football itself.

Whether the sport still benefits from his presence as much as he does is debatable. But as long as he’s playing, people will watch. And as long as people watch, Cristiano Ronaldo will believe — rightly or wrongly — that his story isn’t finished yet.