Cristiano Ronaldo linked with surprise move to Turkish league from Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Al-Nassr for the Turkish league during the next winter transfer window, according to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.

Ronaldo’s contract with the Saudi Arabian club expires at the end of the current season. That means he would be free to sign an agreement with another club during the winter window before joining them without a transfer fee in the summer.

Speaking in a video on the KAFA Sports YouTube channel, Sabuncuoglu said an intermediary had sounded out Turkish clubs about the possibility of signing the Portugal captain in January.

A move would raise the prospect of Ronaldo reaching 1,000 career goals away from the Roshn Saudi League and Al-Nassr. Supporters of the Riyadh club had hoped to see the milestone achieved in their team’s colours.

Ronaldo, 41, has scored 985 goals during his career and needs 15 more to become the first player in football history to reach 1,000.

The reports come despite Ronaldo not currently being publicly linked with an Al-Nassr departure. He is in his fourth season with the club and is competing for the Roshn Saudi League, King’s Cup, AFC Champions League Elite and Saudi Super Cup.

Al-Nassr are third in the Saudi league standings with 28 points, two behind leaders Al-Hilal and level on points with second-placed Al-Qadsiah, who are ahead on goal difference.

In the AFC Champions League Elite, Al-Nassr sit seventh in the West region with six points from two wins and one defeat. They also have a game in hand against UAE club Al-Wasl.

The club reached the last 16 of the King’s Cup after beating Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the Riyadh derby. Their next match in the competition is against Al-Kholood at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Monday, 11 January.

Al-Nassr will also face Al-Kholood in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final in Kuwait on 19 December. If they win, they will meet the winners of the other semi-final between Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah on 23 December.

The speculation follows Ronaldo’s decision to retire from international football after 23 years with Portugal. He first represented his country in 2003 and ended his international career after a controversy during the previous international break raised questions about his relationship with coach Jorge Jesus.

Ronaldo finished with 234 appearances and 146 goals for Portugal. He won three major honours with the national team, including UEFA Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles, in 2019 and 2025.