Cristiano Ronaldo Eyes Return to European Football After Award Win

Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at a possible return to European football after winning the Best Middle East Player award at the Globe Soccer Awards 2025 in Dubai. The 40-year-old forward, currently with Al-Nassr, expressed his passion for the game and his ambition to reach the unprecedented milestone of 1,000 goals. Despite his numerous achievements, the World Cup remains the only major trophy missing from his collection. Former Manchester United coach Renee Meulensteen believes Ronaldo would trade his goal tally for World Cup glory. As Portugal prepares for the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo's future in football remains a topic of great interest.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 29, 2025, 13:06 IST

Ronaldo's Aspirations and Achievements

Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at a potential return to European football following his recognition as the Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards 2025 held in Dubai. The 40-year-old forward, who currently plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, expressed that his enthusiasm for the sport remains strong, and he plans to continue his career regardless of where he plays.

During the award ceremony, Ronaldo stated, "It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going."

The Portuguese legend also emphasized his goal of reaching the unprecedented milestone of 1,000 goals, a record yet to be achieved in men's football. "I will reach the number (1,000 goals) for sure, if no injuries," he remarked. Currently, Ronaldo has netted 956 goals for both club and country, leaving him just 44 goals shy of this remarkable target. His recent two-goal performance in Al-Nassr's 3-0 victory over Al-Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League showcased his enduring prowess.

Ronaldo's illustrious career has seen him excel in Europe with clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus. However, the World Cup remains the only major trophy that eludes him. Former Manchester United coach Renee Meulensteen believes that Ronaldo would willingly exchange the 1,000-goal milestone for a World Cup title.

Meulensteen commented, "Cristiano Ronaldo would swap his 1,000 goals for World Cup glory, I think he would. The World Cup is exceptional. Don’t get me wrong, Portugal has exceptionally good players but it’s bloody hard to win the World Cup." He referenced the intense competition seen in the 2022 final between Argentina and France, where Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe delivered outstanding performances.

Portugal reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup but faced elimination at the hands of Morocco with a 1-0 defeat. Ronaldo is anticipated to participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Portugal regarded as one of the stronger teams heading into the tournament.

Even during his challenging tenure at Manchester United prior to his move to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo upheld his status as the all-time leading scorer in both men's football and men's international football.