Ronaldo’s possible move to Turkey rejected by Saudi journalist

Saudi journalist Abdulaziz Al-Marisal has dismissed reports linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a move to the Turkish league, insisting the Al-Nassr captain will either extend his contract or end his career at the Saudi club.

Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu said in a video on the KAFA Sports YouTube channel that an intermediary had contacted Turkish clubs to assess their interest in signing Ronaldo during the next winter transfer window.

Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr is due to expire at the end of the current season. That would allow him to sign an agreement with another club during the winter window before joining them for free in the following summer.

However, Al-Marisal rejected the possibility of a move in a post on his official X account.

“Cristiano Ronaldo does not want to end his sporting career anywhere other than in the Saudi league with Al-Nassr,” he wrote.

“Cristiano has not yet decided whether this season will be his last or not, but in all circumstances Cristiano will retire from football at Al-Nassr,” he added.

“With all due respect to every source in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo will not play for any club anywhere in the world.”

He concluded: “Either he renews his contract with Al-Nassr after it expires at the end of the current season, or he ends his sporting career and retires.”

There have been no reports in the article of Ronaldo being linked with a departure from Al-Nassr. He is in his fourth season with the club and is competing for the Roshn Saudi League, King’s Cup, AFC Champions League Elite and Saudi Super Cup.

Al-Nassr are third in the Saudi league table with 28 points, two behind leaders Al-Hilal and level on goal difference behind second-placed Al-Qadsiah.

In the AFC Champions League Elite, Al-Nassr sit seventh in the West Group with six points from two wins and one defeat. They also have a postponed fixture against UAE club Al Wasl.

The club have reached the last 16 of the King’s Cup after beating Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the Riyadh derby. They face Al-Kholood at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Monday, 11 January.

Al-Nassr will also meet Al-Kholood in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final in Kuwait on 19 December. If they win, they will face the winner of the other semi-final between Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah on 23 December.

The reports come shortly after Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football following a 23-year Portugal career that began in 2003.

He ended his international career after making 234 appearances and scoring 146 goals. Ronaldo won three trophies with Portugal, including Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles, in 2019 and 2025.