Cristiano Ronaldo, widely regarded as a Manchester United legend, is rumored to be on the verge of a move to Al Hilal, a major rival of his current team Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Despite these reports, the Portuguese star has previously shared mixed feelings regarding this type of high-stakes transfer.
Ronaldo spent six influential years at Manchester United from 2003 to 2009, winning several major trophies and establishing himself as one of the world’s top players.
He returned to Old Trafford in 2021, hoping to rekindle some of that success, though his stay lasted only a little over a year.
By December 2022, Ronaldo had moved to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, signing a contract that extends until 2025.
The Spanish sports news outlet *Sport* has now reported that Al Hilal is eyeing Ronaldo as a potential January transfer.
Al Hilal is allegedly considering moving forward with Ronaldo as a replacement for Neymar, who joined the Saudi Pro League last year from Paris Saint-Germain but has struggled with injuries, limiting him to just five appearances due to an ACL injury.
With Ronaldo’s current club, Al-Nassr, maintaining a longstanding rivalry with Al Hilal, the potential transfer could come as a surprise.
The teams have a history of competitive clashes, including a recent 1-1 draw in the Riyadh Derby at Al-Awwal Park at the beginning of the month.
Given the intensity of this rivalry, Ronaldo’s move to Al Hilal would be unexpected, especially considering his loyalty to Al-Nassr and his contributions since joining the team.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Ronaldo has been linked with a move to a major rival of a team he’s loyal to. In 2022, during his second spell at Manchester United, Ronaldo nearly joined Manchester City, a chief rival of United.
Ronaldo later disclosed how close he came to signing with City and working under manager Pep Guardiola, yet a conversation with former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson swayed his decision.
In an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, Ronaldo shared, “To be honest, it was quite close…
There was a lot of talk about it, and [Manchester City manager Pep] Guardiola said two weeks ago, I believe, that they worked hard to bring me in.”
He continued, “But, as you know, given my history with Manchester United, emotions play a role. Of course, Sir Alex Ferguson also played a part in my choice.”
Ronaldo added that his loyalty to United’s legacy ultimately influenced his decision, though he couldn’t deny how close the deal was. “I believe Ferguson was the key; he made all the difference at that time. I couldn’t ignore his words,” Ronaldo said. “He told me, ‘It’s impossible for you to come to Manchester City.’ And I simply responded, ‘OK, Boss,’ and made my choice, which turned out to be the right one.”
Ronaldo’s loyalty to Manchester United was a decisive factor that kept him from joining a major rival in the past, and if reports are accurate, he may soon face a similar decision with Al Hilal. While he has consistently shown dedication to his team’s values and legacy, it will be intriguing to see if this rumored transfer to Al Hilal materializes, marking yet another significant chapter in Ronaldo’s career.
