In recent years, the topic of Cristiano Ronaldo's transfers has become an evergreen in the football world. Whether it was his departure from Manchester United or his phenomenal performance in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo always manages to capture everyone's attention. Now, with the new season approaching, discussions about whether he will return to the Premier League have intensified once again. Many top clubs have made moves, especially Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Newcastle, among others. These financially powerful clubs see Ronaldo as a "key figure" to enhance their competitiveness.
However, will Ronaldo be tempted? The answer is surprising. According to well-known transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Ronaldo did not choose to return to the Premier League but instead decided to renew his contract with Al-Nassr and continue playing in Saudi Arabia. This decision shocked many fans and media, especially considering that Ronaldo is nearing 40 years of age.
Ronaldo's choice to stay in Saudi Arabia is not just about money. It is reported that Ronaldo's new contract with Al-Nassr has an annual salary of up to 220 million euros, a figure that not only far exceeds Messi's salary in the MLS (60 million euros) but also approaches that of basketball superstar LeBron James. This treatment undoubtedly highlights Ronaldo's special status in the football world and shows that despite his career nearing its end, he still possesses significant earning power.
From a competitive standpoint, Ronaldo remains at the top level. This season, he has played 20 times in the Saudi league, scoring 17 goals, and continues to compete for the Golden Boot. Even at 40 years old, Ronaldo still demonstrates his strong influence on the field. His decision to stay with Al-Nassr clearly shows that he is not one to give up; he hopes to lead the team to overthrow Al-Hilal's dominance in Asian football.
Furthermore, Ronaldo's performance with the national team is also worth noting. His teammates expressed their hope to win him the ultimate honor at next year's World Cup. This means that at 41 years old, Ronaldo may return to the World Cup stage at the end of his career to compete for the coveted FIFA World Cup Trophy. If he achieves this goal, it will undoubtedly add a rich stroke to his legendary career and further solidify his historical status in football.
Of course, Ronaldo's decision to stay in Saudi Arabia is not without controversy. Many believe that Ronaldo should continue to play in the Premier League or a higher-level league, as the Premier League remains at the top in terms of competitive standards and commercial influence. Ronaldo's choice disappoints some fans who think that if he returned to the Premier League, it could bring greater attention and even inject more competitiveness into the league. However, in reality, Ronaldo's decision leans more towards balancing personal achievements with substantial commercial benefits. His choice is a rational balance, considering both his competitive form and commercial value.
Looking at the big picture, Ronaldo's decision is commendable. At his age and competitive state, the focus is no longer solely on personal achievements but on maintaining commercial value and prestige. This might be the fundamental reason for his choice to stay in Saudi Arabia.
In summary, Ronaldo's destination for the new season remains the Saudi league. His salary has set a new record, which some may view as a choice to "work hard for money," but for Ronaldo, it is also a more "complete" career choice.