After weeks of rumors linking him to a “final dance” at Sporting CP or a move to MLS, Cristiano Ronaldo has definitively committed his future to the Saudi Pro League.
In a statement on February 21, 2026, the 41-year-old silenced reports of a “strike” and confirmed that his family is fully settled in Riyadh.
The “Pledge of Loyalty”
Ronaldo’s words were clear and designed to settle the unrest among Al Nassr supporters following his brief absence earlier this month.
“As I’ve said many times before, I belong to Saudi Arabia. It is the country that has welcomed me, my family, and my friends. I am very happy here. My decision is clear: I want to continue playing here.”
Why the Rumors Started
The speculation wasn’t baseless. Ronaldo had recently missed two matches—a 1–0 win over Al-Riyadh and a clash with Al-Ittihad—which sparked reports of a “protest” against the club’s transfer policy.
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The “Strike”: Sources claimed Ronaldo was frustrated that Al Nassr hadn’t matched the heavy winter investment of rivals Al-Hilal (who recently signed Karim Benzema).
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The Comeback: He returned to action last week with a vengeance, scoring a brace against Al-Hazem to prove he is still the undisputed leader of the team.
The 1,000-Goal Countdown
With his latest brace, Ronaldo’s “march to four digits” is accelerating.
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Current Total: 964 official career goals.
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The Goal: He needs just 36 more to reach 1,000.
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The Timeline: While he recently downplayed the idea of hitting the mark during the 2026 World Cup final (calling it “too perfect, like a movie”), his current scoring rate suggests he could reach it in late 2026.