What Happened to Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro?

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born February 5, 1985, has maintained his status as one of football's most prominent figures well into his forties. After a high-profile move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in January 2023, following his departure from Manchester United, Ronaldo quickly became the face of Saudi football. His initial contract was extended in June 2025, securing his stay until June 2027, a deal that reportedly included a minority ownership stake in the club and significant influence over transfer decisions.

This extension was a pivotal moment, as it pushed his estimated net worth to between $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion by June 2025, making him the first footballer in history to achieve billionaire status. His annual earnings from Al-Nassr alone are reported to be around $200-$235 million, supplemented by a lifetime Nike deal and numerous other endorsements. Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia also spurred a wave of other high-profile players to join the league, significantly raising its global profile.

The 2025-26 season proved to be a successful one for Ronaldo and Al-Nassr. He finally secured the elusive Saudi Pro League title on May 21, 2026, scoring twice in a decisive 4-1 victory over Damac. This marked his first major club trophy since winning Serie A with Juventus in 2020 and ended Al-Nassr's seven-year wait for the league championship. He also continued his prolific goalscoring, finishing as the league's top scorer for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 seasons, and was named the Saudi League Player of the Season for 2025-2026.

Internationally, Ronaldo captained Portugal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. At 41 years old, he made history by becoming the first player, male or female, to score in six different World Cup tournaments, adding three goals to his international tally. Portugal's campaign ended in the Round of 16 with a 1-0 defeat to Spain on July 6, 2026. Following the tournament, his sister hinted that the 2026 World Cup would be his "last dance" for the national team, and Ronaldo himself admitted it would be his final World Cup. Reports indicate he is expected to make one final appearance for Portugal in a UEFA Nations League match against Wales on September 24, 2026.

As of August 8, 2026, Ronaldo is reportedly celebrating his wedding to long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez in Madeira, Portugal. His extended post-World Cup break has meant he has not yet resumed full training with Al-Nassr for the upcoming 2026-27 season, missing their pre-season camp. He did, however, meet with his teammates and new head coach Ange Postecoglou on August 4. It is anticipated that he will miss Al-Nassr's first two league and cup matches of the new season due to these commitments. Ronaldo continues to chase the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals, standing at 976 as of July 26, 2026.