Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new two-year contract with Al-Nassr, committing his future to the Saudi club until the summer of 2027. The deal, confirmed earlier this week, will keep the Portuguese legend at the club beyond his 42nd birthday.

The announcement brings an end to mounting speculation over Ronaldo’s future, which intensified after Al-Nassr’s underwhelming finish to the 2024/25 campaign – a season that saw them finish third domestically, miss out on Champions League glory, and fall short of qualifying for the expanded 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.

But rather than bowing out, Ronaldo has doubled down. And according to BBC and Sky Sports, there’s a clear reason behind the decision: he still believes there’s history to be written – and goals to be scored.

"A new chapter begins": Ronaldo’s mission isn’t over

In a post on social media platform X, Ronaldo wrote: "A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let's make history." The message came weeks after a cryptic “The chapter is over” post had fans speculating that he was preparing to walk away from Al-Nassr. Instead, he’s staying – and with purpose.

Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol reported that Ronaldo turned down several offers from clubs participating in the 2025 Club World Cup, choosing instead to honour his current project in Saudi Arabia. “He’s very focused on ending his career with 1,000 goals,” Solhekol said. “He’s on 938 now – and who would bet against him scoring another 62 for club and country before he calls time?”

Ronaldo remains football’s highest-paid player, reportedly earning £177m per year, but his motivation goes far beyond money. There’s one box left to tick: the World Cup.

One last shot at glory

Despite all he has achieved, Ronaldo has never lifted football’s ultimate prize – something long-time rival Lionel Messi did with Argentina in Qatar. With the next World Cup set to take place across the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026, Ronaldo will be 41 – and likely in his final tournament.

“He still believes Portugal can go all the way,” wrote the BBC. “And he believes the Saudi Pro League gives him the best chance to be at peak fitness when it kicks off.”

While some critics argue that the league lacks the intensity of Europe’s top flights, Ronaldo’s individual numbers speak volumes. He scored 35 goals in 41 appearances last season, claimed the league’s Golden Boot for the second consecutive year, and is one of the fittest players in the competition – regularly topping sprint and distance charts.

His performances in Portugal’s recent UEFA Nations League triumph also served as a timely reminder of his enduring quality at the highest level.

Who leads Al-Nassr next?

The only uncertainty for Ronaldo now lies in the dugout. Al-Nassr parted ways with former AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli this week, and it remains to be seen who will take the reins for the 2025/26 season. Whoever it is, they will inherit a squad led by the most prolific goalscorer of all time – and a player whose hunger for success remains as sharp as ever.

Ronaldo’s 111 appearances for Al-Nassr have yielded 99 goals so far. His next one will take him into triple digits – and one step closer to that mythical 1,000-goal milestone.

He may be 40. He may have nothing left to prove. But Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t finished yet.