Cristiano Ronaldo drops hint over future after Club World Cup transfer speculation
Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he will remain at Al-Nassr amid speculation that he could seek a move in order to compete at this summer's Club World Cup.
The 40-year-old's future has been up in the air with his contract at the Saudi Arabian club due to come to an end on June 30.
Advertisement
He joined the club in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United and has been instrumental in elevating the league's credibility.
However, a cryptic social media post suggested that the five-time Ballon d'Or was ready to part ways with the club.
Following a 3-2 defeat to Al-Fateh in their final game of the season, which saw Al-Nassr finish third in the league, Ronaldo took to X to say: "This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all."
But now, Ronaldo has backtracked on his earlier statement and seemingly vowed to remain at his current employers.
After Portugal's Nations League final victory over Spain last night, which saw Roberto Martinez's side emerge victorious on penalties, the striker has suggested that his future lies with Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested that he will stay at Al-Nassr (REUTERS)
The Portugal captain said: "Future? Nothing will change. Al-Nassr? Yes."
Advertisement
Ronaldo extended his goalscoring record against Spain, claiming his 138th international goal in the 61st minute to put Portugal on terms.
He was subbed off in the 88th minute and was not involved in the subsequent penalty shootout.
Ronaldo helped guide Portugal to a second Nations League title on Sunday (AP)
He was seen in tears when Ruben Neves scored the winning spot kick as Portugal reigned supreme over their Spanish neighbours, becoming the first team to become two-time winners.
After Al-Nassr failed to qualify for the Club World Cup, Fifa president Gianni Infantino proposed the idea of Ronaldo joining a team still involved in the competition.
However, it appears Ronaldo has turned various participating teams down, with Argentinian giants River Plate among those who reportedly sent proposals his way.
"Some teams reached out to me,' Ronaldo added. 'Some made sense and others did not, but you can't try and do everything. You can't catch every ball."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
42 minutes ago
- USA Today
FIFA's pitch to Club World Cup ticket buyers despite slow sales: Be part of soccer history
FIFA's pitch to Club World Cup ticket buyers despite slow sales: Be part of soccer history Show Caption Hide Caption Why Real Madrid is heavy favorite to win FIFA Club World Cup Safid Deen and Seth Vertelney explain why Real Madrid look like a safe bet to hoist the FIFA Club World Cup trophy when all is said and done. Sports Seriously CORAL GABLES, FL — FIFA president Gianni Infantino believes the Club World Cup opener with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Egpytian side Al Ahly at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, June 14 will be 'full' and 'packed' with fans. Infantino didn't quite say sell out. But he's taking news of slow ticket sales in stride. Although ticket sales have not met FIFA's expectations in the final week before the new tournament begins, Infantino thinks soccer fans in the United States should take advantage of the opportunity to watch 32 of the best soccer club teams in the world in the 11 cities where matches will be played this summer. 'I think this is the important element that people have to really capture now – be part of history,' Infantino said during a Club World Cup event at FIFA's headquarters near Miami on May 10. 'Football is such an important sport all over the world. We'll have billions of people watching this Club World Cup from home, who would love to come and to attend. And we'll have millions who are here, and who will be able to be part of this very first FIFA Club World Cup, which will enter into history. So, I think it's great.' Some Club World Cup ticket prices have been lowered significantly thanks to dynamic pricing – a mechanism used to lower or raise ticket prices based on demand. The cheapest tickets to half of the Club World Cup group stage matches (24 of 48) are under $36 all-in with fees before taxes. FIFA has a $2 billion revenue target it expects to generate from the Club World Cup – which includes $1 billion already paid by DAZN to live stream all 63 matches for free on their website and app, and another $500 million in marketing rights. The other $500 million will come from hospitality rights and ticket sales. Along with the $1 billion prize pool that will be paid by FIFA and divided among the 32 Club World Cup teams, FIFA is targeting to make $250 million in solidarity payments to other clubs and leagues around the world to further the game. FIFA also plans to pay each host city $1 million to support community soccer projects in the future. When FIFA announced its unprecedented prize pool for the Club World Cup in March, it also said it will not retain any profits from the tournament. While previous editions of the Club World Cup predominantly featured seven teams, FIFA hopes the expanded 2025 Club World Cup sets a new standard for club soccer globally and can become a tournament held every four years one year before World Cups. 'As for every new venture that anyone tries to create in the world, there are always discussions that you never really know what will happen. … For us, the important element is to fill the stadiums, to give opportunities to people to come,' Infantino said. 'We were lucky enough – and this is also something that we did not expect in that measure – that we got great attention from sponsors and brokers broadcasters so that when it comes to revenues, everything is perfectly secured.' The Club World Cup will host matches in Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington D.C. The final is July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Wednesday marks one year until the next World Cup begins on June 11, 2026. That event will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.


New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Chelsea omit Djordje Petrovic from Club World Cup squad, Kendry Paez to join Strasbourg on loan
Djordje Petrovic has been left out of Chelsea's Club World Cup squad, while Kendry Paez is also omitted ahead of being loaned out to BlueCo-owned Strasbourg. Paez, whose transfer was agreed with Independiente Del Valle when he was 16 in 2023, is now eligible to complete his switch to Stamford Bridge. However, the teenager is not involved because he will join Strasbourg on loan. Advertisement Ligue 1 club Strasbourg and Chelsea are owned by multi-club ownership group BlueCo. Petrovic is not going to the tournament in the U.S. despite Chelsea ending their interest in signing AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan before the first transfer window of the summer closed at 7pm tonight. The Serbia international impressed on loan at Strasbourg in 2024-25 but Chelsea have decided to take goalkeepers Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and new signing Mike Penders, who joined from Genk a year ago but spent last season at the Belgian club. Chelsea will continue to assess their goalkeeping options, with Petrovic to report back for pre-season in July. However, sources have told The Athletic that he has interest from multiple European clubs and he or Sanchez could be sold because Chelsea will not go into the campaign with four goalkeepers in their squad. Andrey Santos, who was also on loan at Strasbourg last season, has been included in Enzo Maresca's squad but other loanees Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi and Ben Chilwell will not be involved. As The Athletic reported earlier on Tuesday, Chelsea did not want to take too many players and have a 'bomb squad' of individuals whose futures lie elsewhere. They want the majority of the players who finished the Premier League campaign and won the Conference League in May to be competing as they see the Club World Cup as part of the same season. Chelsea's new signings Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr are going to be on the plane. (Top image of Djordje Petrovic:)
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
FIFA Under Fire as Trump's Travel Ban Blocks Fans from Two World Cups
FIFA Under Fire as Trump's Travel Ban Blocks Fans from Two World Cups originally appeared on Athlon Sports. President Donald Trump's travel ban, effective June 9, 2025, bars citizens from 12 countries, including Iran and Haiti, from entering the U.S., threatening the Club World Cup which kicks off in a matter of days and 2026 FIFA World Cup. Advertisement Fans around the globe, eager to cheer their teams, face exclusion despite exemptions for athletes. The move has ignited fury and logistical chaos. Trump's ban has upended travel plans and stirred fan fury. Iran, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, sees its fans barred from the spectacle. Haitian supporters, with their team strong in CONCACAF qualifiers, also face a locked gate. FIFA's vision of unity feels hollow as fans cry foul (BBC Sport, June 6, 2025). The ban only exempts athletes, coaches, and support staff for 'major' events like the World Cup and 2028 Olympics, but fans get no such pass. Iranian fans, who rallied 20,000-strong in Qatar 2022, now face a dream deferred. Haiti's vibrant supporters, a force at the 2023 Women's World Cup, are similarly sidelined. Advertisement Trump's proclamation cites national security, labeling Iran a 'state sponsor of terrorism' and Haiti as lacking 'sufficient law enforcement' per the White House. Critics argue this paints entire nations as threats, alienating global soccer communities. The State Department claims vetting is essential for safe hosting, but fans see it as a betrayal, per The Athletic. How will Trump's travel ban affect fans wanting to see the Club World Cup and next year's World Cup?Photo byVisa processing, already sluggish, faces new hurdles. Trump's reported cuts to federal agents, including Homeland Security staff, have slashed visa processing capacity. Fans worldwide, even from non-banned countries, fear inevitable delays as backlogs continue to grow. Sources like CNN and The Athletic report visa wait times stretching over a year in cities like Bogota (710 days) and Istanbul (713 days) already. Gianni Infantino said "The world is welcome in America,' The FIFA President, now faces a diplomatic mess. Posts on X reflect fan anger, with some calling for FIFA to reconsider U.S. hosting rights. This month's Club World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup, both U.S.-based, are also tangled in the ban's web. Advertisement "Me and a few mates were planning to go to the US for the Club World Cup, but with this travel ban, we're not risking getting turned away or worse, locked up. No tickets, no hotels, no visiting local spots. Gutted." - @BillRoss12, May 30, 2025" Haiti's team, set to play in the Gold Cup starting June 14, 2025, in cities like San Diego, can compete, but their fans may not attend. Sudan and Venezuela, still in World Cup qualifying, face similar fan restrictions if they qualify. The global soccer community feels snubbed per Fans Left Out While Teams Play On The ban's timing, just before the Club World Cup, amplifies its sting. Fans from affected nations, dreaming of the FIFA spectacle, now face a stark message: 'Stay home.' The World Cup's promise of unity is at odds with this exclusion per Sky Sports. Advertisement Soccer thrives on passion, yet this policy risks alienating millions. Fans are left wondering if the 2026 World Cup will be a true global celebration or a fractured event. The ball is in FIFA's court to address this growing outcry. Next: Is FIFA's Club World Cup the Biggest Flop in Soccer History? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.