Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Hilal transfer rumour refuses to die down as Saudi club CEO says...

Fan backlash was reportedly one of the key reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't complete a loan move to Al-Hilal ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. The Portugal captain was set to feature in the tournament wearing Al-Hilal’s blue colours, before returning to Riyadh to rejoin Al-Nassr for the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League (RSL) season. However, the deal would have sparked outrage among fans of both clubs, forcing Ronaldo and the parties involved to abandon the move.

 

 

Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are bitter rivals and matches between the two sides often turn ugly on the pitch. While Al-Hilal are yet to find a player of CR7's stature to rival the brand value Al-Nassr managed with a single signing, the Riyadh club have enjoyed better success over the  "Faris Najd" in recent times. They have several talented players in their ranks as millions were poured into the market in recent transfer windows. 

 

Cristiano Ronaldo unhappy at Al-Nassr?

 

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, often finishes at the top of the scoring charts but remains frustrated by Al-Nassr’s lack of silverware. He has been linked with a move to Al-Hilal for over a year now, as repeated last-minute failures by his current team have reportedly tested his patience. Al-Hilal can afford a superstar after Neymar's departure and brand CR7 is too big for any team to ignore. 

 

 

A loan deal ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup presented a realistic opportunity for the switch to happen, but it was abruptly called off. What made things further interesting was the fact that Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr is set to expire on June 30.

ALSO READ | Barcelona superstar Pedri can become 2034 World Cup ambassador if he moves to Saudi: Report

While Ronaldo claimed he had multiple opportunities ahead of the tournament but none materialised, a recent statement from Al-Hilal’s CEO has kept the “Ronaldo to Al-Za’eem” rumours very much alive.

 

Al-Hilal yet to rule out CR7 possibility?

 

Al Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada stopped short of giving a direct “no” when asked whether the club had been in contact with Cristiano Ronaldo. Instead, he stated that he wasn’t interested in commenting on rumours and emphasized that Al Hilal already has a very strong squad.

 

“These kinds of theories often surface when a popular player’s contract is nearing its end,” he noted. “However, what lies ahead and what decisions Al Hilal may take in the future can't be discussed at this stage.”

 

ALSO READ | Cristiano Ronaldo, Son Heung-min to become teammates? Al-Nassr among 3 Saudi teams interested in Tottenham captain: Report

“It has become a recurring situation,” Calzada was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “Every time a player is out of contract, renewing his deal, or looking for a transfer, our name shows up — either Saudi football or Al Hilal itself. So we prefer not to comment on rumours in general. Of course, from time to time, the rumours are right, but I think, out of respect for everyone, it’s better this way.”

 

“We know we have a very strong squad,” he added. “We have a clear strategy for how we might want to strengthen it in the future… and that’s something that, at the moment, is not worth entertaining.”

Sports