The rumors surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo‘s return to the European soccer scene have caught a lot of heat. Apparently, there are rumors that Al Nassr might be welcomed to join the UEFA Champions League tournament, making Ronaldo fans go berserk over the fairytale return. However, hearing this news, the Saudi Director of the Saudi League was left perplexed. Later, he dismissed receiving any such offers from any Saudi Club.

Meanwhile, there are severe difficulties even if a team enrolls in the Champions League. Although Al Nassr is performing exceptionally well in the Saudi Pro League, it’s a whole different game if the club joins the race for European glory. A move to the European tournament is complex at this time let alone the skills and pressure that a team requires to bring with them.

Saudi League’s sports director is in no mood to entertain baseless rumors

The fans have been buzzing and are eager to know if such a move is possible and if they’ll be able to catch CR7 at play again for the biggest title in Europe. But these speculations are far away from reality, not only is the inclusion of Al Nassr difficult but also would face a lot of backlash from other teams. Dismissing the rumors when asked by the media to comment, the soccer director shares his take.

Michael Emenalo, the sports director of the Saudi League, denying the scope of any such possibility, said, “I do not know where this talk came from, that there is a Saudi team that will play in Europe. This is not true!” Breaking the hearts of countless fans who wished to hear the complete opposite.

Cristiano Ronaldo would have had a fairytale return if the rumors turned out to be true. The Portuguese soccer icon is performing at a worldly level for Al Nassr, CR7 has scored 16 goals and provided 9 assists across all competitions for the club this season. After a shaky start to the season, the team has now bounced back and is in second place just below league leaders, Al Hilal by 4 points.

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However, one cannot keep a blind eye to the extensive negative pressure that the UEFA board would face to make this move. Dealing with the European crowd is just one aspect. Let’s delve into the three most prominent reasons why this rumor never could’ve seen the light of day.

Why is it not possible for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Europe?

There are three potential reasons that can act as hurdles. These are:

Potential Opposition from Dropped Team:
The 2024–25 UEFA Champions League format changes, expanding to 36 teams, might require dropping a team to accommodate Al Nassr. Uncertainty looms over the selection process, raising the specter of protests from the affected team facing exclusion.

Changed Format and Qualification:
The revamped format emphasizes direct qualification for the top eight teams, with the next 16 competing for the remaining spots. Pairings in the knockout stage are determined by rankings from the initial phase, adding a new layer of competition and strategy.

Fair Play Law System:
Saudi clubs, including Al Nassr, splurged nearly $1 billion in the last transfer window. In contrast, UEFA teams adhere to Financial Fair Play laws, restricting spending to revenue. This incongruity may spark conflicts, highlighting the stark differences in financial regulations between European and Saudi football clubs.

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