Cristiano Ronaldo is not the kind of player to sit back and coast. Even at 40, with a record-smashing career behind him and a contract extension at Al Nassr keeping him in Saudi Arabia until 2027, he is still hungry. Still pushing. Still leading. That leadership, it seems, doesn’t just apply on the pitch. He is playing a key role off it, too.
After helping convince Joao Félix to make the surprising switch from Chelsea to Al Nassr, Ronaldo is already eyeing the next move. Reports out of Spain, particularly via Marca journalist José Félix Díaz, suggest that Ronaldo has recommended his club pursue Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella. It’s a bold idea, but if there’s anyone with the pull to make it happen, it’s CR7.
It has been a wild window already for Al Nassr. They have secured Joao Félix in a deal that could rise to €50 million, with an initial fee set at €30 million and add-ons plus a big sell-on clause worked into the deal, according to Fabrizio Romano. This is no small acquisition, Félix, despite his up-and-down years at Atlético, Chelsea, and Barcelona, remains a huge talent, and now, after turning down a return to Benfica who reportedly offered just a fraction of what Al Nassr did, the 24-year-old is headed to the Middle East to start over, likely playing just behind Ronaldo in attack.
Ronaldo played a huge role in that decision. Several reports claim he reached out to Félix, selling him the vision of playing together in Riyadh. The pitch was simple: come to Al Nassr, join a team full of ambition, play week in and week out, and reignite your career. For Félix, that message landed. Loud and clear.
Now, Ronaldo seems to want the same for Marc Cucurella. The Spanish left-back has turned things around at Chelsea after a difficult first season. He’s now a trusted part of Enzo Maresca’s starting XI, making 54 appearances last term, including 36 in the Premier League, and has finally earned the trust of the Stamford Bridge crowd. Under contract until 2028, Chelsea isn’t in any rush to sell him, as they have plenty of options on the team, but not at left back. Al Nassr is reportedly preparing an offer described by Spanish outlet Tribuna as one “hard to refuse.”
Would Chelsea entertain it? Possibly. It depends on the size of the bid and their confidence in replacing him. What’s clear is that Ronaldo sees something in Cucurella that he believes could benefit Al Nassr’s future not just stylistically but also in terms of experience and consistency down the left side.
At this point, Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t just trying to score goals; he’s building something. He knows his years at the top level are winding down, but rather than bowing out, he’s using his stature to shape the team around him. With 99 goals in 111 appearances for Al Nassr and a fresh contract extension just signed, he’s not just a player; he’s a cornerstone of the project.
That’s why the Félix deal matters so much, and it’s why the Cucurella link shouldn’t be brushed off. These aren’t random transfer targets; they’re part of a bigger picture Ronaldo is helping paint. One where Al Nassr isn’t just a rich club, but a competitive one. A destination for players looking for more than just a paycheck.
Sources close to the Félix deal noted that Ronaldo reassured the young forward that playing regularly at Al Nassr, rather than sitting on the bench in Europe, could help his chances of making Portugal’s 2026 World Cup squad. That argument makes sense for Félix and potentially for other European talents who find themselves at a career crossroads.
For Cucurella, the decision will be a personal one. Stay at Chelsea and continue the resurgence under Maresca, or take a leap into a league that’s rapidly growing in both profile and competitiveness. The money will be attractive, of course, but so will the chance to play alongside one of the greatest to ever do it and be part of something new.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!