Cristiano Ronaldo has been turned down by a Champions League club, according to reports, amid claims that he is ‘desperate’ to make a return to European football.
Ronaldo had two spells in English football with Manchester United between 2003 and 2009, and 2021 to 2022, as well as stints at Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid and Juventus.
He is now playing for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, where he was named as the world’s top goalscorer in selected major leagues in 2023.
The 39-year-old has spoken openly about retirement in recent months, telling beIN Sports: “Planning my retirement, whether it’s in one or two years, I don’t know. I will soon turn 40, and as long as I feel motivated, I will keep going.”
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr contract runs until this summer, and he told the club’s media channel that he and his family are ‘happy’ in Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo (right) pictured alongside Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards (Image: Getty)
But he has now been linked with a move back to Europe ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Ronaldo hasn’t ruled out a return to Europe – but one club has decided against signing him.
PSG have turned down the chance to sign the Portugal legend, with financial reasons cited as the main factor behind their decision not to pursue a move.
It is claimed that manager Luis Enrique is instead focused on signing ‘players with a long-term projection’, a transfer policy that was utilised throughout the summer in bringing in the likes of Desire Doue, Joao Neves and Willian Pacho.
The report adds that Ronaldo’s high salary in Saudi Arabia has become an ‘obstacle’ for European clubs attempting to sign him, despite the forward ‘looking to remain in the elite’ ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
A move to PSG, though, would have come as a surprise given the 39-year-old’s recent comments about Ligue 1 in comparison to the Saudi Pro League.
Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai last month, he said: “The French league? Of course [it is worse than the Saudi Pro League]. Only in France is PSG, the rest is finished.
“It’s my opinion. In France it is only PSG, sorry. The other ones compete, okay. But PSG is the strongest – nobody competes with them.
“They have better players. They are the club with more money. This is a fact, and I don’t understand why people are so surprised.”
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Publish date : 2025-01-05 08:47:00
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