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Cristiano Ronaldo declares himself 'very happy' at Al Nassr amid rumours of rift - 'I belong to Saudi Arabia'
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Published 22/02/2026 at 18:46 GMT
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Cristiano Ronaldo had been linked with a move away from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in recent weeks amid speculation that he was unhappy with the treatment of his side compared to league rivals Al Hilal. However, after a 4-0 win over Al Hazem in which he scored a brace, the 41-year-old Portugal international reaffirmed his commitment to staying in Saudi Arabia.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself "very happy" at Al Nassr, despite recent reports that he was unhappy with the Saudi Pro League club.
The 41-year-old recently missed two matches for the club despite them being in the thick of a title challenge.
Al Nassr and Al Hilal are going toe-to-toe for the league trophy but the latter have had a significant reinforcement in the form of Karim Benzema, with the 38-year-old striker arriving from Al Ittihad.
Benzema, a former Real Madrid colleague of Ronaldo’s, could prove to be the difference in the run-in, and Ronaldo was reportedly unhappy at the perceived disparity in the treatment of the two clubs, despite both being backed by the Saudi state’s Public Investment Fund.
However, Ronaldo appeared to end speculation of an imminent departure when he made a goalscoring return to the side last week and on Saturday, he grabbed a brace in a 4-0 victory against Al Hazem. That win meant that Al Nassr moved one point clear at the top of the table.
Speaking to Saudi broadcaster Thmanyah, Ronaldo spoke about his happiness in the country.
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"I'm very happy," the Portugal international said. "As I say so many times, I belong to Saudi Arabia.
"It's a country that has welcomed me very well and my family and my friends. I'm happy here, I want to continue here.
"The most important thing is we keep pushing [for the league title], we are there at the top. We do our job, we win, make pressure, let's see at the end of the season."
Al Nassr have won the domestic league on 10 occasions but have just the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup to their name since Ronaldo’s arrival, meaning the pressure is on the whole club to deliver more silverware.
Ronaldo is approaching the halfway mark of a two-year contract extension. The 2026 World Cup is almost certainly his last major international tournament, though he still has the chance for now to add to his international tally of 143 goals in 226 matches.
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He has 21 goals in 24 appearances for his club so far this season and 120 goals in 135 matches since he made the switch from United.
Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr in January 2023 after falling out with Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag in his second spell at Old Trafford.
He is believed to have a £43 million release clause, which has seen him linked to a return to Europe, or potentially a switch to Major League Soccer.
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