Cristiano Ronaldo Hints at Departure as Al Nassr Falls to Al Fateh in Dramatic Finale

Ronaldo Marks 99th Goal as Al Nassr’s Season Ends in Bitter Defeat

Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest achievement—a 99th goal in 105 appearances for Al Nassr—wasn’t enough to save his club from a painful 3-2 defeat to Al Fateh on May 26, 2025. Fans watched anxiously as the 40-year-old forward led the line in what’s now looking like the end of an era. The result slammed the door on Al Nassr’s hopes for a top-two finish and AFC Champions League Elite football. Instead, it poured fuel on swirling rumors about Ronaldo’s next act.

The crowd barely had time to absorb the sting of defeat before Ronaldo took to social media and dropped a cryptic message: "This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all," along with an image of himself in yellow Al Nassr colors. For supporters who have rallied behind him since his blockbuster move to the Saudi Pro League, it sounded like a parting shot—and possibly his final curtain call in Riyadh.

Big Numbers, Bigger Questions: What’s Next for Ronaldo?

Despite Ronaldo clinching the top scorer title in the league with 25 goals this season—and notching up a jaw-dropping 937 career goals—Al Nassr’s campaign fizzled out in the crunch moments. The team’s third-place finish means no AFC Champions League Elite football, an outcome that stings for a club with such ambition and star power up front.

So, what’s the next chapter for the Portuguese icon? The rumor mill has been spinning faster than ever. There are strong suggestions that Ronaldo is eyeing a move to Brazil, possibly to take part in the 2025 Club World Cup. Whispers from Brazil’s football scene are getting louder, especially since FIFA President Gianni Infantino hinted at setting up a dedicated transfer window for the tournament. This could open the door for some truly wild moves, and Ronaldo is at the heart of it all.

It’s hard to overstate Ronaldo’s impact on Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League. His presence pushed ticket sales, TV audiences, and the profile of the league to new heights. But football is cruel—one man’s goals can’t always prop up a team. Al Fateh snatched both victory and Champions League dreams from Al Nassr’s grasp, delivering a tough lesson to Ronaldo and company.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s story is far from over, no matter where he ends up next. But if his post-match message really was a goodbye, his Saudi chapter ended not with fireworks and trophies, but with a gut-punch loss and a lot more questions than answers.