Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the door open for a potential Champions League return, stating, “Let’s see what the future brings.”
At the UEFA Champions League draw held in Monaco on Thursday, Ronaldo received recognition for being the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer, with an impressive tally of 140 goals. Although the 39-year-old forward last participated in the competition in March 2022, following a surprising transfer to the Saudi Pro League, he has not dismissed the possibility of rejoining Europe’s elite football stage.
“As you know, the Champions League is the pinnacle of football,” he remarked. “The record speaks for itself, but it’s also about the joy of competing in that tournament. It drives us. When you hear that music, you feel alive. For me, it was always something special …
“Football is unpredictable, so let’s see what lies ahead.”
Ronaldo’s current contract with Al Nassr runs until June 2025. While he could consider a return to European football at the age of 40, he has indicated that it is “likely” that his time with Al Nassr will mark the end of his club career.
Even if Ronaldo does not participate in another UEFA Champions League match before he retires, he will still hold a significant lead in the record for the most Champions League appearances, with 183. The closest active player in Europe, Thomas Müller of FC Bayern Munich, trails with 151 appearances.
