Cristiano Ronaldo is playing a high-stakes game with his career by deciding to go on strike at Al Nassr to protest against the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Ronaldo still needs to play in Saudi Arabia to secure his goals.
If the worst-case scenario happens and Al Nassr sacks Ronaldo, the superstar will have to face a harsh reality: There aren't many places in the world willing to roll out the red carpet for him anymore.
The world has no place for the 41-year-old "King".
While the media hype surrounding Ronaldo's move to the US to reunite with Lionel Messi sounds romantic, it's unrealistic. Major League Soccer (MLS) has a strict financial system, and no club can afford a salary of $250 million , 20 times Messi's earnings.
Furthermore, with the pride of someone who always wants to be number one, Ronaldo certainly wouldn't accept having to "chase" his rival across the globe only to be branded a failure in the Middle East.
A return to Europe, once Ronaldo's stage of glory, is also almost a dead end. At 41, despite still maintaining an incredible physique, Ronaldo cannot meet the demands of high-intensity pressing or the speed of ball circulation required by big clubs in the Champions League.
The big clubs in Europe are now prioritizing squad rejuvenation and optimizing wage bills to comply with increasingly stringent Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. Recruiting a veteran who demands regular playing time and comes with an exorbitant salary would disrupt the team's structure and destabilize the dressing room.
Conversely, mid-sized or smaller clubs might offer Ronaldo a starting spot, but it wouldn't be commensurate with his illustrious reputation, and more importantly, they wouldn't have enough money to pay his salary. If Ronaldo is still focused on income and obsessed with reaching the 1,000-goal milestone, Europe is clearly not the place for him at this time.
Looking to the East, the Chinese Super League (CSL) was once a financial powerhouse, willing to spend lavishly on players like Oscars and Carlos Tevez in the past. However, that golden age is long gone.
Chinese corporations are now facing tighter financial controls, and many football teams have disbanded or are operating at a reduced capacity. What was once a "promised land" no longer has the budget for star players to retire, turning Saudi Arabia into the last bastion of money-driven football.
It's not easy for Ronaldo to find a better environment than the Saudi league.
A shift within Saudi Arabia
With all other doors closed, the only and wisest way out for Ronaldo is to stay in Saudi Arabia, but under a different jersey. Ronaldo's current conflict mainly stems from Al Nassr's management style and the disappointment of not winning any trophies.
However, it's important to remember that Al Nassr is just one of four clubs under the control of the PIF Foundation, alongside Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli. The PIF needs Ronaldo's image to promote the 2034 World Cup and maintain the tournament's appeal, so they certainly don't want to lose this gem.
The best solution for all parties at this point is a secret negotiation for Ronaldo to move to another team also backed by PIF. Al Hilal, the giant dominating the league and possessing a top-class squad (having just welcomed Karim Benzema), could be the ideal destination to guarantee titles for Ronaldo.
Alternatively, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli would also be good options for him to continue enjoying a huge salary and a familiar playing environment. The reality is that Ronaldo has been quite unlucky with trophies while playing for Al Nassr, and that frustration has eroded his joy in playing football.
A club transfer within the Saudi Pro League would help Ronaldo save face. He wouldn't have to leave the league as a quitter, he would continue to receive his record salary until 2027, and most importantly, he would be playing in a less competitive environment than in Europe, making it easier for him to reach his 1,000th goal.
For PIF, transferring Ronaldo to another team is like moving assets from one pocket to another, as long as that "asset" remains and generates media value.
This is a win-win move, resolving the conflict at Al Nassr without damaging the league's image. Instead of a confrontation that could cost them everything, Ronaldo needs to sit down, put aside his hot temper, and seek an internal transfer agreement, opening a more complete chapter in his time in the Arab world.