Cristiano Ronaldo, the renowned Portuguese forward currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is reportedly exploring opportunities to return to European football during the ongoing winter transfer window. According to a report by Football365, the 39-year-old has allegedly approached four major European clubs, including Chelsea, in hopes of making a comeback.
However, his overtures have reportedly been declined by Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich, with factors such as his age and high wage demands cited as reasons for the rejection.
Ronaldo left European football in January 2023 after parting ways with Manchester United under controversial circumstances prior to the FIFA World Cup. He subsequently joined Al-Nassr, where he has showcased remarkable performances despite his advanced age.
This season, Ronaldo has been in stellar form, scoring 16 goals and providing three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions. Since his arrival at Al-Nassr, he has made 89 appearances, tallying an impressive 80 goals and 18 assists. His current contract with the Saudi Pro League club is set to expire in June.
In addition to his on-field exploits, Ronaldo has drawn attention for his outspoken opinions. Last month, during the Globe Soccer Awards, he stirred debate by asserting that the Saudi Pro League is of higher quality than France’s Ligue 1. He argued that Ligue 1 is largely overshadowed by PSG’s dominance, with other teams struggling to compete at the same level. Ronaldo also highlighted the challenges of playing in Saudi Arabia, particularly the extreme weather conditions, which he believes test players’ resilience.
Ronaldo’s comments were met with mixed reactions, including a strong rebuttal from Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi. De Zerbi defended Ligue 1, emphasizing its competitive nature, the abundance of talented players, and the vibrant atmospheres in its stadiums.
He argued that the league is often undervalued due to weaker promotional efforts compared to leagues such as the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, and the Bundesliga. Under De Zerbi’s management, Marseille has performed admirably this season and currently sits second in the Ligue 1 standings, seven points behind the leaders after 16 games.
Despite facing setbacks in his attempts to return to Europe, Ronaldo continues to make a significant impact in Saudi Arabia. His form and determination remain evident, though his future beyond his current contract with Al-Nassr remains uncertain. Whether he will secure a move back to Europe or continue his career elsewhere is a question that only time will answer.