Al-Nassr sporting director Fernando Hierro has confirmed that the club are in talks over extending Cristiano Ronaldo's contract as speculation over his future heats up.
Despite now being in his 40s, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has no plans to hang up his boots, but he is only under contract with the Saudi Pro League giants until the end of next month.
Ronaldo's next career move has been the subject of increasing uncertainty in the past couple of weeks, as FIFA president Gianni Infantino has talked up the prospect of the forward playing at this summer's Club World Cup.
However, as Al-Nassr are not in the Club World Cup, Al-Hilal - who will compete in this summer's tournament - have supposedly tabled an offer to the former Real Madrid and Manchester United man.
Ronaldo recently suggested that his time at Al-Nassr could be drawing to a close, but sporting director and ex-Spain defender Hierro has not given up hope of convincing him to stay.
Hierro confirms talks with Ronaldo's camp over new deal
© Imago
"We are still in negotiations with Cristiano Ronaldo over new deal. Hopefully we can find a solution on a renewal," Fabrizio Romano quotes Hierro as saying.
"Cristiano Ronaldo's presence from the beginning is a national project. He is a huge phenomenon in the history of football, has helped the league grow. We are in contact to renew his contract and hope he continues with us."
Ronaldo is continuing to make nets bulge for fun in the twilight of his career, coming up with 35 strikes from 41 matches for Al-Nassr in the 2024-25 season, in addition to five assists.
The 40-year-old finished as top scorer in the Saudi Pro League campaign with 25 efforts - two more than closest challenger Ivan Toney - but Al-Nassr wound up 13 points below champions Al-Ittihad.
Ronaldo is therefore yet to win a major trophy with Al-Nassr, but he has produced a terrific 112 goal contributions from 105 appearances, 93 of his own and 19 assists.
Could Ronaldo face Lionel Messi one last time?
© Imago
Should Al-Hilal successfully twist Ronaldo's arm in the next week or so, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will grace the United States with his presence at the Club World Cup, in what would no doubt be FIFA's dream.
Al-Hilal are competing in Group H of the competition alongside Pachuca, Red Bull Salzburg and Real Madrid, the latter of whom will of course be the overwhelming favourites to top the section.
However, Al-Hilal will consider themselves realistic contenders for the runners-up place, which would see them rewarded with a last-16 clash against the winner of Group G, which could be either Manchester City or Juventus.
On the other side of the draw, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami are in Group A alongside Palmeiras, Porto and Al Ahly, and they could not face Al-Hilal until the semi-finals at the earliest.
As a result, while one final Messi vs. Ronaldo contest is not completely out of the equation, the stars would have to align for the two phenoms to enjoy a last dance at the Club World Cup.
Ben Knapton
