The request to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the Premier League came as a surprise in January 2024.
Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United occurred in November 2022 due to irreconcilable issues with head coach Erik ten Hag, resulting in the termination of Ronaldo’s contract with the club. In January 2023, the veteran striker ultimately made the decision to sign with Al Nassr.
The 38-year-old striker has been in outstanding form during his time in Saudi Arabia. Since joining, he has remarkably scored 24 goals in 24 appearances in the Saudi Pro League. The club’s top executives have been impressed by CR7’s performances in the Saudi Arabian National Championship, leading them to facilitate his return to professional European football.
El Nacional reports that they have received information suggesting that Newcastle United, currently owned by Al Nassr, has submitted a transfer offer to the Portuguese national team’s captain. The 1985-born striker has not shown significant enthusiasm for this proposal at the moment, but he might consider it more carefully in the coming weeks.
Newcastle United made a significant investment during the summer to secure Sandro Tonali, and they are now looking to further bolster their squad by signing renowned free agents. Their recent victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, with a score of 4-1, has boosted their confidence.
Given Cristiano Ronaldo’s impressive performance in the Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese superstar may desire to compete against more challenging opponents. Despite the presence of many top European players in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo might seek a more rigorous test.
Following his departure from Manchester United, Ronaldo seems to have ruled out the possibility of returning to Europe, signaling his intent to conclude his career in Saudi Arabia. Despite his move to Al Nassr, the prolific striker had already achieved nearly every accolade in European football and continued to represent Portugal at the international level.
Ironically, Cristiano Ronaldo’s second debut with Manchester United in 2021 was against what is now known as Newcastle United, and he scored two goals in that match. However, Newcastle is a respected club in English football, and its ambitious owners have shown interest in signing top talents, including the likes of Vinicius Junior, who is a target in their pursuit.