A 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.