Ronaldo agrees one-year contract extension with Al Nassr

Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has reached a verbal agreement with Al Nassr to extend his contract for another year, keeping him at the Saudi club until June 2026, an Al Nassr official confirmed to AFP on Monday.

While the extension has yet to be signed, the official stated that a formal announcement will be made in the coming days.

Ronaldo, who turned 40 last week, originally signed a deal set to expire in June 2025. Since joining Al Nassr in January 2023, he has scored an impressive 82 goals in 90 appearances.

In August, Ronaldo hinted that he would likely finish his career at Al Nassr, saying, “Retirement may come soon, in two or three years, but it will most likely happen with Al Nassr—the team that makes me happy.”

His high-profile move to the Saudi Pro League, reportedly worth $250 million, initially raised doubts about his future relevance. However, his presence sparked a wave of international stars moving to Saudi Arabia, significantly boosting the league’s global profile.

Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup further underscores the kingdom’s sports-driven transformation, a strategy in which Ronaldo has played a key role.

Beyond the pitch, his influence extends to digital platforms, with his YouTube channel amassing 73.5 million subscribers—one million in just 90 minutes and 20 million within 24 hours of its launch.

Despite his prolific goal-scoring form and closing in on 1,000 career goals, Ronaldo is yet to win a domestic or continental trophy with Al Nassr, apart from the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup.