Cristiano Ronaldo is 41. Let that sink in for a second. Most players his age are deep into a golf hobby or yelling at a TV from a broadcast booth. But not him. If you’re searching for the ronaldo soccer team name, you’re likely looking for Al Nassr FC, the Saudi Arabian club where he’s currently rewriting the twilight of his career.
Honestly, it’s wild how much has changed since he left Manchester United in that cloud of drama back in late 2022. People thought he was heading to a "retirement league" to just collect a paycheck. Instead, the guy has been banging in goals like he’s still twenty-five, recently extending his stay in Riyadh until June 2027.
He’s not just a player there anymore. As of early 2026, he’s actually a co-owner, holding a 15% stake in the club. That’s a level of influence we rarely see while a player is still actually lacing up their boots for the Saturday kickoff.
The Team Behind the Legend: Al Nassr FC Explained
So, what is Al Nassr exactly? They aren't some new "pop-up" team created just to sign stars. They were founded in 1955. They’ve got a massive history in Saudi Arabia, known as The International or Faris Najd (The Knights of Najd). Before Ronaldo showed up, they were already big, but now? They’re a global brand.
The current 2025-26 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster for them. They’re currently sitting second in the Saudi Pro League, chasing their rivals Al Hilal. It’s been tough lately; they just broke a nasty losing streak with a 3-2 win against Al Shabab.
Ronaldo didn't score in that one, which is rare, but he’s still the heartbeat of the squad. He’s surrounded by other big names you’ll definitely recognize:
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- Sadio Mané (the former Liverpool star)
- Marcelo Brozović (ex-Inter Milan)
- Aymeric Laporte (formerly of Manchester City)
It’s a serious roster. This isn't just "The Ronaldo Show," even if he’s the one on every billboard from Riyadh to New York.
Don't Forget the Other Ronaldo Soccer Team Name: Portugal
When people talk about the ronaldo soccer team name, they often forget the one that arguably matters most to him: Portugal.
We are currently in January 2026. The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is only months away. Ronaldo has already confirmed this will be his final international tournament. He’s 41, and he’s still the captain.
The Portugal manager, Roberto Martínez, has been pretty vocal lately about the squad. He’s made it clear that while Ronaldo is going to the World Cup, he isn't a "guaranteed starter" for every single minute. There’s a lot of talent pushing him now—guys like Gonçalo Ramos and Rafael Leão.
But you know Cristiano. He doesn't do "bench player" very well. He scored five goals during the qualifying rounds to get them here. If Portugal is playing in Houston or Miami this summer, you can bet everything that #7 will be out there trying to break his own world record for international goals.
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The Staggering Reality of His Current Contract
The numbers are just... stupid. There's no other way to put it.
When he signed his extension in June 2025, it became the most lucrative deal in the history of sports. We're talking about a base salary of roughly $200 million per year. When you add in his commercial deals as a Saudi tourism ambassador and his ownership stake, his total annual take-home is north of $270 million.
Basically, the guy earns about $7.75 per second. Think about that. By the time you finish reading this paragraph, he’s made enough to buy a nice dinner.
Why He’s Still Playing (It’s Not Just Money)
You’d think with a billion dollars in the bank, he’d want to go sit on a beach. But he’s obsessed with a single number: 1,000.
As of mid-January 2026, he is sitting at 957 career goals. He needs 43 more. His goal is to hit that quadruple-digit milestone before he retires in 2027. Some critics say the Saudi Pro League is "easy," but he’s also still scoring against top-tier European nations when he plays for Portugal.
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The level of competition in Saudi Arabia has also skyrocketed. Since he moved there, the average squad value in the league has jumped from under €20 million to over €100 million. He didn't just join a team; he moved the entire center of gravity for the sport.
What Most People Get Wrong About Al Nassr
There’s a common misconception that Al Nassr is owned by Ronaldo. While he owns 15%, the majority is controlled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. They own the "Big Four" clubs: Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli.
This structure is why you see so many stars moving there. It’s a centralized push to make the league one of the top five in the world by 2030.
Practical Steps for Fans in 2026
If you're trying to keep up with his games, here is the current reality of how to watch the ronaldo soccer team name in action:
- For Al Nassr: Most games are broadcast on DAZN or Fox Sports depending on your region. In the US, the Saudi Pro League has a dedicated streaming deal that usually requires a subscription to a platform like Peacock or specialized sports packages.
- For Portugal: Keep an eye on the UEFA Nations League and the upcoming World Cup 2026 schedule. Portugal is in Group K and will be playing their opening matches in Houston and Miami.
- Track the Goals: If you’re following the "Race to 1,000," sites like Transfermarkt keep the most up-to-date live tallies of his official goals across both club and country.
Whether you love him or think he’s past his prime, the fact remains: at 41, the world is still searching for his team name every single weekend. He’s scheduled to play against Damac on Wednesday, January 21, and the soccer world will be watching to see if he moves one goal closer to that impossible 1,000.
Keep your eyes on the Saudi Pro League standings this spring. The title race between Al Nassr and Al Hilal is likely going down to the final wire in May, just before he joins the Portugal camp for his final global bow.