Football | What is next for Cristiano Ronaldo?

Cristiano Ronaldo was the buzz of the town as the prodigal boy made his much-awaited return to the Theater of Dreams, where he honed his skills as a skinny, wiry-haired teenager. Fast forward to 2021/22, when the five-time UCL winner and five-time Balon D. winner, along with Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, returned to United to great fanfare.

However, things did not go as smoothly as Ole Gunnar Solskaker had hoped. Man Utd had their worst season, finishing outside the top four in sixth place, and Ole was fired.CR7 finished as the third-highest goal scorer with 18 goals.

Erik Ten Hag took over after interim boss Ralf Rangnick left the post vacant. During the 2022–23 transfer window, CR7 made his intentions clear about leaving the club. But United couldn’t find a suitor who would take him. So he decided to stay put and fight for his place.

Cristiano was benched by Ten Hag, and the displeasure showed on his face as he left unceremoniously during a match.

The relationship between the boss and the player deteriorated. In the week before the World Cup, CR7 went on a controversial interview with Piers Morgan, where he made remarks against Ten Hag. United ended his career effectively. Cristiano went to the World Cup as a man without a club. However, rumour mills haven't stopped spinning about where he might play next. 

He had been linked with the following clubs:

Chelsea 

Chelsea were very keen to take the soon-to-be 38-year-old man, as Ted Boehly was fascinated by him. But Tuchel turned him down. Now that Tuchel is gone, Chelsea may revisit the transfer in the winter window. His agent, Jorge Mendes, is rumoured to be offering Chelsea the player in the window. However, they are looking to get Christopher Nkunku, Rafael Leao, and Ivan Toney, so Cristiano may be a low priority right now.

Al-Hilal

The club from Saudi Arabia is reported to have offered him a mouthwatering $305 million. They want to offer him a two-year contract. Despite being offered these riches, Ronaldo was not ready to take a step back and move to Saudi Arabia, whose Pro League is thriving.

Al-Nassr

Another club from Saudi Arabia was ready to offer the Portugal star forward a mouthwatering 400 million dollars for two and a half years. Ronaldo quashed the rumours by declining them.

Sporting Lisbon

Ronaldo has been linked to his first professional club; it might be appealing to Ronaldo, but the club knows they can’t afford the target man’s wages. Still, it holds a special place in his heart, so if he decides to lower his wage, we might see him playing in Jose Alvarado Stadium.

With Portugal out of the World Cup, it remains to be seen where he ends up.