5 Cristiano Ronaldo transfer options including fairytale return for ex-MU star

Cristiano Ronaldo's contract at Al Nassr expires at the end of the current season and a decision has not been made over whether he will extend his Saudi Pro League spell

When Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr midway through the 2022-23 season, the expiry of his bumper contract was the last thing on most people's minds. Now, though, the imminent end of his deal has left plenty of questions over the Portuguese.

Ronaldo has continued to score for fun in the Saudi Pro League, but hasn't delivered the trophies his current club had hoped for when bringing him in from Manchester United. It's time for the Riyadh side to stick or twist, and Ronaldo's wages may tempt them towards the latter.

Of course, the player himself is far from ready to retire. He remains part of the Portugal international picture, missing just one competitive match in the last 18 months, and has a World Cup on the horizon in 2026.

"I just want to enjoy. Plan for the retirement… if it has to happen, in one or two years… I don’t know," Ronaldo said in 2024. "I’m turning 40 soon… I really want to enjoy, as long as I feel motivated I keep going. The day I don’t feel motivated, I will retire”.

Where might he go if he leaves Al Nassr, though? Mirror Football has looked at some of the options - both in Europe and further afield.

Sporting CP

Upon signing for Al Nassr, Ronaldo indicated he wouldn't be returning to club football in Europe. ""I did my mission in Europe well and achieved everything. Now it's time for a new challenge in Asia," he said.

The offer of a return to Sporting might change that, though. He was a teenager when he left his home in Madeira to join the Lisbon club, and it's there that he made his senior debut.

Despite a dramatic slump when Ruben Amorim left for Manchester United, Sporting have secured a return to the Champions League. Victory in their final league game will see them crowned champions, and a return for the prodigal son could make for a very interesting summer.

Al Ahli

If Ronaldo feels he has settled in Saudi Arabia, Al Ahli might be the solution. Matthias Jaissle's side won the AFC Champions League Elite this season, beating league rivals Al Hilal along the way, and will defend their title next season.

The Jeddah club are also likely to have space in their squad for a big-name arrival over the summer. Roberto Firmino has had an up-and-down time at the club, and is expected to return to Brazil.

A bigger issue, of course, is how Ronaldo might gel with Ivan Toney. The England international has top-scored for the club this term, and much may hinge on whether he feels he needs to return to Europe to earn a chance of making Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad - and wether he cares enough to do that.

Los Angeles FC

Speaking of Premier League stars of yesteryear who have endured goal droughts in so-called 'lesser' leagues... Olivier Giroud joined LAFC from AC Milan last summer, but went 10 league games without scoring in his first half-season.

He opened his MLS account in April, after a couple of strikes in cup competitions, but the return is probably some way short of what the California club would have expected from the Frenchman's elevated Designated Player pay-packet. If they're able to get the veteran off their books, might another elder statesman take his place?

Of course, the biggest selling point of a move for Ronaldo is a chance to reignite his one-time La Liga rivalry with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, only this time across the Atlantic. It wouldn't be exactly the same as in those Clasico years, but fans who weren't able to witness those matches first-hand may well be pleased just to see the pale imitation.

Chelsea

A Premier League return for Ronaldo remains unlikely, and a third Manchester United stint all but impossible. If he were to return to England, though, Chelsea might be bold or foolish enough to take the plunge.

The Blues' transfer policy has focused predominantly on a younger profile of player, but there have been times this term when a lack of experience was telling. If a near-40-year-old Thiago Silva could do the job last term, why not a 40+ Ronaldo?

We wouldn't even be entertaining the idea if Chelsea had a settled and consistent front-line, but the cupboard looks rather bare when you take out Nicolas Jackson. A summer exit for Christopher Nkunku would free up a bit of space, leaving them with someone ready to step in and share line-leading duties at Stamford Bridge.

Besiktas

Ronaldo's return to Manchester United in 2021 came with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm. It might be a long shot, but a reunion with the Norwegian boss at Besiktas could end up tempting Ronaldo this summer.

While Ronaldo found it harder to earn regular minutes under Erik ten Hag, he was United's top scorer in that first season under Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. Besiktas' top scorer this season, Ciro Immobile, only has one more year left on his own deal and missed periods with hamstring trouble earlier in the season, so the Super Lig club may be tempted to see if the funds are there for Ronaldo.

There is, of course, the small matter of the Istanbul side missing out on a top-two finish this term. Would Ronaldo return to Europe without the promise of Champions League football?