Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo could make a sensational return to European football next season. As per media reports, the Portugal great has a clause in his Al Nassr contract that would allow him to join Newcastle United if they qualify for the Champions League.
Eddie Howe’s team earned the crucial point to guarantee a top-four finish and a spot in the Champions League for the upcoming season the other night against struggling Leicester City. Newcastle last finished in the top four in May 2002 under Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer as their captain.
It has been 11 years since they last made it to Europe, after finishing fifth in Alan Pardew’s 2012 season. It completes a historic turnaround that began in October 2021, when Mike Ashley sold out to a consortium led by Amanda Staveley and the Saudi PIF.
Cristiano Ronaldo desperate to make Europe U-turn
The turnaround of Newcastle, led by their owners the Saudi PIF could get more better as Cristiano Ronaldo could be back in the Premier League with the Tyneside. Back in January this year, it was reported that the Portuguese has a clause in his Al Nassr deal which will see him join Newcastle on loan, if they qualified for the Champions League.
It would be an interesting back door for Ronaldo to return to Europe without Newcastle United even paying his entire £175 million salary. According to recent rumours, the 38-year-old is “desperate” to leave Al Nassr, however, given that he just joined the Saudi Pro League team back in December following a contentious falling-out with Manchester United, it would be easier said than done.
Furthermore, Magpies manager Eddie Howe is reportedly against the idea of bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Juventus forward was given the boot by United in part because he didn’t fit in with Erik Ten Hag’s new, high-energy style of play. In their off-the-ball work and pushing, Newcastle are perhaps even more active than the Old Trafford giants.
Every component of their well-timed, high-up-the-pitch effort and operation is essential to their game. It would fall apart with Cristiano Ronaldo on the side. Ronaldo’s loan move to Newcastle would conflict with everything Eddie Howe has established both on and off the pitch. Moreover, it is being thought that Howe feels bringing in the legendary forward who will be turning 39 the next season will ruin all the work that has been done over the previous two seasons.
There is no surprise that Ronaldo wants to return to Europe within six months of joining the Saudi club. Although the wages might be making up for the incompetence of the middle-eastern league, the Champions League all-time topscorer dreams of gracing the elite European competition once again. Moreover, Ronaldo also wants to return to the highest level of football as he eyes EURO 2024 tournament with Portugal.