If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve likely seen the frantic headlines. One day he’s retiring; the next, he’s linked with a romantic return to Sporting CP or a shock move to MLS. People are obsessed with one question: where is ronaldo going next?
Honestly, the noise is exhausting. But if we look at the actual paperwork and the man’s own words as of January 2026, the picture is a lot clearer than the tabloids want you to believe.
Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t going anywhere—at least not yet.
Despite the "this chapter is over" posts that sent fans into a meltdown last summer, Ronaldo is staying put in Riyadh. He’s currently locked into a massive contract extension with Al-Nassr that keeps him in the Saudi Pro League through June 2027. That’s the hard fact. He’s 40 now, turning 41 in February, and he’s essentially decided that Saudi Arabia is where the sunset of his career happens.
The Al-Nassr Extension: Why He Isn’t Leaving Yet
Remember that cryptic Instagram post in June 2025? The one where he said "this chapter is over" after Al-Nassr finished third? Everyone thought he was packing his bags for Miami to join Messi.
Nope.
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It was a leverage play. Ronaldo didn't just want more money (though he got it); he wanted a squad overhaul. He basically forced the club to fire their CEO and head coach Stefano Pioli. Now, he’s the de facto sporting director. When we ask where is ronaldo going, the answer is "nowhere," because he’s built a kingdom at Al-Nassr where he has more power than he ever had at Real Madrid or Manchester United.
His current deal is rumored to be one of the most lucrative in the history of sports, but it’s not just about the paycheck. He’s chasing a very specific, very obsessive number.
1,000.
As of early January 2026, Ronaldo is sitting on 958 official goals. He just scored his first of the year on January 8th against Al-Qadsiah. He needs 42 more. At his current rate of about 0.88 goals per game in the Saudi League, he’ll hit that thousand-goal mark right around the start of the 2026-27 season. He has explicitly stated he won't retire until he hits that number.
The 2026 World Cup: The Real Final Destination
The most frequent theory about where is ronaldo going involves a final swan song in North America. No, not for Inter Miami. For Portugal.
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Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico will "definitely" be his last. This is his North Star. Everything he is doing right now—the strict diet, the recovery sessions in his Riyadh mansion, the decision to stay in a slightly less physical league—is designed to ensure he’s leading the line for Portugal in June 2026.
Why this World Cup is different:
- The Sixth Participation: He’s already played in five. A sixth would put him in a category of one.
- The Knockout Curse: Believe it or not, the greatest goalscorer ever has never scored a goal in a World Cup knockout match. He’s desperate to fix that.
- The Rivalry: With Lionel Messi also likely to be there, the 2026 tournament is the final act of a 20-year drama.
If you’re wondering where he goes after the final whistle in 2026, the answer is likely retirement. He told CNN in November 2025 that he expects to retire within "one or two years." If he wins the World Cup? He might walk off the pitch and never look back. If he doesn't, he’ll likely finish that Al-Nassr contract through 2027 and call it a day.
The European Return Myth
Can we stop with the "Ronaldo to Newcastle" or "Ronaldo back to Real Madrid" rumors? It’s not happening.
The elite European clubs have moved on to the Mbappe and Haaland era. More importantly, Ronaldo’s ego—and I say that with respect—doesn't allow him to be a "bench option" or a "super-sub" in the Champions League. He saw what happened at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag. He isn't going back to a situation where a manager can sub him off in the 80th minute of a losing game, which actually just happened at Al-Nassr during their recent slump.
He wants to be the protagonist. In Saudi Arabia, he is the league. In Europe, he’d just be a legend on a high salary.
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What This Means for Fans
If you’re a fan trying to track where is ronaldo going, stop looking at the transfer window and start looking at the calendar.
- Watch the Saudi Pro League: He’s there for the next 18 months. He’s currently pushing the club to sign Antonio Rudiger from Real Madrid to fix their defense. He's invested in the "project."
- Mark June 2026: That is the only move that matters. The "move" to the United States for the World Cup is his final stand.
- The 1,000 Goal Countdown: This is the real narrative. Every penalty, every header, and every tap-in at Al-Nassr is a step toward that four-digit number.
The reality of where Ronaldo is going is a lot less "Hollywood" than the rumors suggest. He’s chosen a path of longevity and legacy-building in the Middle East to ensure he reaches the 2026 World Cup in peak condition.
He’s not chasing a new club; he’s chasing immortality. Once that 1,000th goal hits the back of the net, or once Portugal is eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, that’s when he’s finally going home.
Actionable Insights for Following CR7 in 2026:
Track his goal tally closely; he needs roughly 2.5 goals per month to hit the 1,000-goal mark before his contract expires. If Al-Nassr fails to win the Saudi Pro League again this season, expect him to push for even more high-profile European signings in the summer 2026 window to bolster the squad for his final year.