A prolonged trophy drought and boycott failed to stop Benzema from joining Al-Nassr; Cristiano Ronaldo might leave for MLS in the summer transfer window.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s boycott protesting Benzema’s move to Al-Nassr was ineffective. Al-Nassr has officially announced signing Benzema from Al-Ittihad, making the zero-salary saga seem like a mere charade. Ronaldo previously called the Saudi Pro League the fifth league, surpassing Ligue 1, but in reality, the four major Saudi clubs are owned by a single owner, making it more of a scripted league—a fact Ronaldo now deeply understands.

Since joining Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has faced a long trophy drought. This season, Al-Nassr signed Félix and Coman, with Ronaldo aiming to win the Saudi Pro League title. Currently, Al-Nassr trails Al-Nassr by 3 points, but Al-Nassr strengthened their squad in a bizarre way by signing the defending champions’ star player from Al-Ittihad, Benzema, who was Ronaldo’s teammate at Real Madrid. This boost to Al-Nassr’s strength makes it even harder for Ronaldo’s team to claim the title, fueling his desire to leave.

According to the latest news from Portuguese media outlet Record, Ronaldo may choose to leave Al-Nassr this summer. He won’t transfer within the four major Saudi clubs but will opt to exit what appears to be a somewhat “amateur” league. His current contract includes a €50 million buyout clause and runs until June 30, 2027.

Ronaldo is currently very dissatisfied with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), believing they obstruct the team’s recruitment efforts and are preventing him from winning the Saudi championship. He feels he deserves more recognition. Ronaldo has also accepted the role of ambassador for the 2034 Saudi World Cup to boost the event’s profile. Feeling unfairly treated at Al-Nassr and powerless to change things, he plans to leave, possibly returning to a top European league like the Portuguese Primeira Liga as a homecoming, or moving to MLS. His interactions with Trump could facilitate his entry into the American league, where a new “Melo rivalry” with Messi would generate massive attention and popularity.