What does the future hold for Cristiano Ronaldo?
The Al-Nassr’s star forward Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t had the best of the times recently in terms of his on-field appearances. The 39-year-old was among the thick of the things when his side crashed out of the Saudi Super Cup courtesy of a thumping defeat against rivals Al-Hilal. CR7 was first in the referee’s ear after his side’s initial goal was disallowed due to a controversial VAR call.
Then later in the closing stages of the same semi-final clash, Ronaldo witnessed a straight red card for allegedly elbowing an opponent’s player. This was his career’s twelfth red card. Also, Al-Nassr being lagging behind Al-Hilal by a significant chunk of points in the Saudi Pro League title race for this season, is further adding to the veteran’s annoyance.
The Saudi Pro League expert Ben Jacobs recently dwelled upon what CR7’s future could hold amidst the recent hiccups. Talking to the English media outlet talkSPORT, Jacobs reportedly stated –
“I think he will do another season. I think Ronaldo still feels that he’s the one capitalising this (the Saudi fiasco). So there’s a personal aspect that feeds into maybe his ego that he started all of this”.
The current contract of Cristiano Ronaldo with Al-Nassr runs till June 2025, and as per Ben Jacobs’ statement, it seems like the Portuguese wizard will be staying in the Saudi League for at least the aforesaid period of his deal. However, such as the nature of the football transfer market these days, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if CR7 decides to indulge in an early exit from the Saudi Pro League.
‘Lionel Messi’ chants continue to frustrate Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has been constantly targeted by the opposition fans with a barrage of ‘Lionel Messi’ chants during many Saudi Pro League games since 2023 in which he has played. The very matter also has been vastly covered by several media outlets in the recent past. However, things infuriated when Ronaldo decided to give it back to the set of fans in the form of an abysmal gesture after one of Al-Nassr’s wins. He went on to receive a suspension for his gesture towards the crowd.
However, the whole incident just signified how ‘Messi’ chants have irritated the number seven in recent times. Ben Jacobs also inflicted regarding the matter and insisted –
“Every time he (Ronaldo) does something wrong, opposition fans are chanting the name ‘Leo Messi’, and that juxtaposition (comparison) of Messi winning the World Cup, Ronaldo being in Saudi Arabia, is really irking him”.
CR7’s decision to venture into the Saudi Pro League was his own after an underwhelming exit from Premier League giants Manchester United. He is still on top in terms of goal-scoring charts in the league’s 2023-2024 season after netting a significant sum of 29 goals so far, but the way the other things around him are unfolding could play a role in his future decisions.