Al-Nassr fans think Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at the club could be up after what happened in the side’s last Saudi Pro League game.
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40, has continued his prolific scoring form since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, tallying an impressive 91 goals in 103 appearances—including 23 in 28 matches this season alone.
Despite his personal success, Al-Nassr’s overall performance has fallen short this campaign. With just three matches remaining, the team sits in third place, 11 points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad, effectively ruling them out of title contention.
On Saturday, May 10, Spanish outlet MARCA reported that Ronaldo has decided to pause talks over a potential two-year contract extension at Al-Nassr, reportedly due to frustration with the club’s underwhelming form.
Then, on Monday, May 12, Al-Nassr faced Al Akhdoud without Ronaldo, who was sidelined due to fitness concerns. Surprisingly, his absence didn’t seem to affect the team, as they delivered a dominant 9-0 victory. Former Liverpool winger Sadio Mané led the charge with four goals, while ex-Aston Villa forward Jhon Durán added two of his own.
The emphatic win sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with fans quick to weigh in on Al-Nassr’s performance without their star striker.
Reactions poured in from fans following Al-Nassr’s stunning 9-0 win without Cristiano Ronaldo in the lineup—each offering a different take on the team’s performance and the Portuguese star’s absence.
One fan remarked: “Ronaldo’s replacement squad putting in a shift, you love to see it.”
Another defended the forward’s importance: “That’s just a weak team… if you look at all the matches Ronaldo didn’t play for Al-Nassr this season—almost every one ended in a loss or a draw.”
A third joked: “Ronaldo on the bench realising he could have scored four and reached 1,000 goals early.”
Meanwhile, a more critical voice said: “It’s so clear that Portugal and Al-Nassr are better without Ronaldo… shame on him!”
As for Ronaldo himself, he addressed his future in a 2024 interview with Portuguese broadcaster Now (via TNT Sports), saying:
“I don’t know if I’ll retire soon—in two or three years—but I’ll probably retire here at Al-Nassr. I’m happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I’m happy playing in Saudi Arabia, and I want to continue.”
Despite reports suggesting he has paused contract extension talks due to the team’s struggles, Ronaldo’s comments reflect a desire to finish his career in Saudi Arabia—though time will tell if those plans stay on course.
