With Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract at Al-Nassr set to expire in the summer of 2025, there is growing speculation about his future. The 39-year-old football icon faces a pivotal decision: retirement or another potential move.
Meanwhile, Darragh MacAnthony, chairman of Peterborough United, has expressed his intentions to invest in the United Soccer League (USL), a tier below Major League Soccer (MLS).
He cites the growing allure of North American soccer, spurred by the presence of stars like Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, as a compelling reason for his interest.
Speaking to talkSPORT, MacAnthony highlighted the significant growth of football in the United States. He remarked,
“The sport is growing massively. I’m considering purchasing a USL club within the next two years because the upcoming World Cup and Olympics are making it a top-four sport in the country. Parents are investing heavily in their children’s football education, sending them to weekend camps. Money is flowing into the sport.”
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MacAnthony also criticized the current structure of the MLS, stating, “They still have it wrong in MLS where they don’t have a promotion and relegation pyramid. If someone in the MLS convinces the owners to adopt a system like we have in England, it would become the second-most watched football around the world.”
He elaborated on the financial potential of investing in a USL club, saying, “With the influence of the Apple deal, Messi’s impact, and the likelihood of Cristiano Ronaldo moving to the US after his stint in Saudi Arabia, football’s profile in America is set to soar. I believe that if I acquire a USL club now for £8-10 million, its value could double or triple in the next five years.”
Currently, Ronaldo and Messi are the leading figures in the Saudi Pro League and MLS, respectively. However, their future in the sport remains uncertain.
Messi’s presence in the MLS, combined with the United States hosting the 2026 World Cup, is significantly boosting the sport’s profile in the country. If Ronaldo were to join Messi in the MLS, it would likely cause another surge in the league’s popularity.
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As Peterborough United prepares for the upcoming League One season, Messi, the Argentine superstar, is recovering from an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Portugal’s Ronaldo is enjoying a well-deserved summer break following the European Championships.
The potential moves of these football legends continue to generate excitement and anticipation among fans and investors alike, with the prospect of them playing in the same league seen as a transformative event for football in the United States.