Cristiano Ronaldo shared a bold new haircut as he showed off his shaved head as he returned to Al-Nassr training in Riyadh this week. The 40-year-old superstar looked every inch the warrior he is with his new look while going through the hard yards on the training pitch. Known for making regular tweaks to his hairstyle down the years, CR7 will hope this latest iteration helps him to deliver yet more success.
Chasing World Cup glory at 40
Ronaldo continues to smash records and defy logic at the age of 40. The Portuguese icon endured a mixed week on international duty as he missed a penalty in Portugal’s narrow 1–0 win over Ireland, before roaring back with two goals in a 2–2 draw against Hungary. With his 22nd-minute equalizer, Ronaldo broke Carlos Ruiz's record as the top World Cup qualifying scorer with 40 strikes, before adding a second to take his tally to 41 on the stroke of half-time. He now has a staggering 143 international goals and a combined total for club and country of 947 strikes. Each time he is on the pitch another record seems to fall and his appetite does not appear to be in decline.
AdvertisementA look that screams ruthless ambition
When Ronaldo arrived back in Saudi Arabia this week, it was his appearance that caught the eye. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner showcased his freshly shaved head on Instagram, rocking a military-style buzzcut that will have reminded many of his Juventus stint in 2020. Ronaldo's hairstyles have been as legendary as his goals over the years. From the boyish ringlets of his early Sporting CP career to the frosted tips and spiky mullet he donned during his Manchester United breakthrough, his fashion evolution has always tracked his career journey. By the mid-2000s, when he started to take over English football, his hair became shorter, spikier, and more angular – a reflection of the ruthless, no-frills forward he was turning into. In 2017, while still at Real Madrid, Ronaldo went back to the old, longer curls with blonde tips. Who will ever forget the Champions League final against Juventus in Cardiff? The noodle-haired assassin scored a brace past Gianluigi Buffon to inspire Real Madrid to a 4-1 victory.
The richest player on the planet
Beyond his records, Ronaldo’s financial empire remains unmatched. His current deal with Al-Nassr is reportedly worth a staggering $280 million (£209m) per season, cementing his status as the highest-paid footballer in the world. Moreover, the CR7 brand has become a global commercial behemoth as it has ventured into several sectors, including fragrances, hotels, and fitness. Every move he makes, every haircut, and every Instagram post he shares generate headlines and, more importantly, revenue for his ever-increasing business empire.
Despite the riches of Saudi Arabia, there have been talks about a possible third stint at United, the club that turned him from a raw teenager into a footballing legend. Reports have suggested that Ronaldo remains open to the idea of returning in some capacity after retirement, potentially taking on a directorial or ambassadorial role. Speaking toGOAL, former United defender Danny Simpson even hinted that such a reunion “shouldn’t be ruled out,” saying that Ronaldo’s emotional ties to Old Trafford run too deep to ignore.
"I wouldn’t say no," he said. "If you look at his mentality, he obviously cares about the club. I think he would say that because he would like to come back again but in another way. I don’t think he liked the way he left so he’d like to come back and make United great again, on some kind of level making decisions.
"The business side is obviously very different, but he’s also a businessman. You can’t knock that team he’s got around him. I’d love him to because I think he’s got a lot to offer, even on that side of the game going forward. Just his mentality and everything he does, he achieves it. That’s what United need."
His time at United delivered the first Champions League trophy and Ballon d’Or of his glittering career. Though his second stint ended in controversy after a public fallout with ex-boss Erik ten Hag and contract termination, a third stint, this time in the boardroom, might bring back the glory days at Old Trafford.
GettyAll eyes on Al-Nassr
Ronaldo will lead the line once again when Al-Nassr face Al-Fateh this weekend, intending to keep their title push alive. They have got off to a perfect start in the Saudi Pro League, winning the first four league fixtures, and the Portuguese icon will look to build on that early momentum.