There are emerging reports suggesting that Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, Al-Nassr, could potentially receive an invitation to participate in the Champions League. This surprising development indicates a possible return for Ronaldo to the prestigious European tournament, despite his move to the Middle East.
The speculation arises from claims made by Saudi journalist AlHarbi44 on Twitter. According to the journalist, UEFA is contemplating extending an invitation to Al-Nassr for the 2024 Champions League. The rationale behind this potential invitation is attributed to Al-Nassr being considered ‘one of the three most famous clubs in football’ and enjoying ‘great popularity’ in Europe. If true, this move could offer Ronaldo the opportunity to contribute to his already impressive record of 141 tournament goals.
However, the specifics of this purported invitation remain unclear. It is uncertain whether other clubs in addition to Al-Nassr might receive invitations or if it could be exclusively offered to the winner of the Saudi Pro League. Currently, Al-Hilal leads the Saudi Pro League table, holding a four-point advantage over Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte, and the rest of the team. The unfolding situation adds an element of intrigue to the football landscape, raising questions about the potential expansion of the Champions League and the involvement of teams from regions beyond Europe.
UEFA have addressed similar rumours in the past this year, as president Aleksander Ceferin said in August: “A media outlet talked about this without even asking us.. Only European clubs can participate in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.”
And in September, European Club Association chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi also poured cold water on the prospect. He said: “If there is a Super Cup or something, why not? But to play in Europe in a competition, if you are not a European [club] … I do not see [it].”
If Al-Nassr were to participate in the Champions League next season, it would mark a historic moment as the first instance of a club from outside UEFA featuring in the competition. This potential inclusion aligns with the tournament’s revamp, expanding from 32 to 36 teams.
The upcoming season of the Champions League is set to undergo significant changes. The traditional eight-group format will be replaced by a single large league. The top eight teams in the league will directly advance to the round of 16, while teams finishing from ninth to 24th will enter a playoff for the remaining eight spots in the round of 16. Notably, clubs ending from 25th to 36th will be eliminated from European competitions, with no provision for dropping into the Europa League. These alterations reflect a major shift in the structure and dynamics of the Champions League, adding intrigue to the potential inclusion of teams from diverse footballing regions.