Ronaldo declines offers to play at FIFA Club World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo says he's almost certain he will not be playing at the Club World Cup, dealing a blow to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's hopes of having one of football's biggest attractions at the tournament.
The Portugal star confirmed on Saturday that he received 'quite a few' offers from participating clubs to play for them at the tournament starting June 14, but had decided against accepting any of them.
'Some things make sense to talk about, other things don't, and, as a person says, you can't take part in everything,' Ronaldo said.
'You have to think about the short, medium and long term. It's a decision practically made on my part not to go to the Club World Cup, but I've had quite a few invitations to go.'
Ronaldo was speaking in Munich a day before Portugal's UEFA Nations League final against Spain.
The 40-year-old scored his 137th international goal in a 2-1 semifinal victory against Germany on Wednesday to book Portugal's spot in the final.
'This is irrelevant right now,' Ronaldo said when first asked about the FIFA Club World Cup. 'It makes no sense to talk about anything other than the national team.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Jazeera
5 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Nations League final: Spain-Portugal more than Yamal battle, says Ronaldo
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledged that he was 'another generation' to Spain starlet Lamine Yamal but said Sunday's Nations League final was more than just a battle between the duo. The final in Munich has been framed as a showdown between veteran Ronaldo, 40, one of the game's biggest names, and 17-year-old Yamal, the most exciting young talent in world football. Ronaldo scored the winner to send Portugal past Germany into the final, and Yamal was named man-of-the-match after bagging a brace in Spain's wild 5-4 semifinal win over France. Ronaldo, however, said the focus on the two individuals was overblown, calling Spain 'maybe the best national team in the world'. 'There are different generations, one is coming in and another is exiting the stage. If you want to see me as another generation, then that's OK. 'When you talk about a clash between Cristiano and someone else, that's not how it works. The media always try to hype things up, which is a normal thing, but it's one team versus another team.' 'You've been talking about Lamine a lot and you're right to do so because he's very good,' Ronaldo told journalists, adding, 'but I'd like to talk about the team. 'They've got Nico Williams, great midfielders like Pedri and their coach [Luis] de la Fuente is very good, very strong, very disciplined.' Portugal last beat their Iberian neighbours in a competitive fixture 21 years ago, in a match which Ronaldo started. Like Yamal, Ronaldo burst onto the scene at a young age. Aged just 18, Ronaldo impressed so much for boyhood side Sporting in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in a friendly in Lisbon that the English club decided to buy him, bringing him to Old Trafford less than a week later. Like a young Ronaldo, Yamal has consistently impressed since bursting onto the scene, winning a league and cup double with Barcelona this season after lifting the Euro 2024 title in Germany last year. The Portuguese veteran asked the media to allow the teenager to grow and improve without pressure, reminding them the Spanish star 'with funny hair' was just 'three years older than my son'. 'The kid has been doing very well, but what I ask is for you to let him grow, not put him under pressure. For the good of football, we need to let him grow in his own way and enjoy the talent he has.' Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Yamal was 'only 17, but very mature for his age. Well-prepared, intelligent – he lives life as if it's all normal, and that's what we want for him'. De la Fuente said the national side were 'trying to walk alongside [Yamal] in his education,' but added 'you'd be surprised, shocked, how calm he is. 'He's special. For some people, this would be a situation of maximum stress. But for him, he's relaxed, he's in control – he masters the situation.' The coach also took time to praise Ronaldo, calling him 'a legend in football and an example of the values I like: effort, work rate, sacrifice, getting better every day and never letting your guard down. 'Portugal are led by a footballer who will go down in history with an indelible legacy.' Both Spain and Portugal have already won the Nations League. Spain are the current champions from their win in 2023, while Portugal won the inaugural tournament back in 2019. Spain have won 16 and drawn two of their past 18 fixtures – and have not lost a competitive match since March 2023. Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal told reporters his side 'do not think we are better than anyone,' but 'we trust ourselves 100 percent and know we can compete in every game. 'We've shown that over the years. Our level is very high.'
Al Jazeera
9 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Gauff beats Sabalenka to claim French Open title for first time
Coco Gauff has won the French Open for the first time by defeating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in the final. The second-ranked Gauff came out on top of Saturday's contest that was full of tension and momentum swings to claim her second major trophy after the 2023 US Open, where she also came from a set down to beat Sabalenka in the final. It was the first number one vs number two final in Paris since 2013, when Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years. After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the 21-year-old American fell onto her back, covering her face with both hands before resting her forehand on the clay. After greeting Sabalenka at the net, she hugged film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage, three years after she lost her first final at Roland-Garros. Sabalenka started the deciding set strongly, sticking to her high-risk approach to hold her first service game. Gauff responded by raising her level, winning a superb rally in the third game that drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd. After an intense exchange of drop shots, Gauff hit a lob that Sabalenka chased down before attempting a shot between her legs — only for Gauff to intercept it at the net and finish with a winner. Gauff was consistent from the baseline and earned a break point, which she converted when Sabalenka double-faulted, giving her a 2-1 lead. Sabalenka turned towards her box and shouted in frustration, but then regained her composure, breaking back to level the match at 3-3. She was broken again at love, however, and Gauff then held serve twice to claim the title after a match that lasted 2 hours, 38 minutes.
Al Jazeera
11 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Ronaldo declines offers to play at FIFA Club World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo says he's almost certain he will not be playing at the Club World Cup, dealing a blow to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's hopes of having one of football's biggest attractions at the tournament. The Portugal star confirmed on Saturday that he received 'quite a few' offers from participating clubs to play for them at the tournament starting June 14, but had decided against accepting any of them. 'Some things make sense to talk about, other things don't, and, as a person says, you can't take part in everything,' Ronaldo said. 'You have to think about the short, medium and long term. It's a decision practically made on my part not to go to the Club World Cup, but I've had quite a few invitations to go.' Ronaldo was speaking in Munich a day before Portugal's UEFA Nations League final against Spain. The 40-year-old scored his 137th international goal in a 2-1 semifinal victory against Germany on Wednesday to book Portugal's spot in the final. 'This is irrelevant right now,' Ronaldo said when first asked about the FIFA Club World Cup. 'It makes no sense to talk about anything other than the national team.'
