Cristiano Ronaldo is almost certain he won't play at the Club World Cup
Associated Press
MUNICH (AP) — 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 soccer's biggest attractions at the tournament.
The Portugal star confirmed 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 Nations League final against Spain.
'This is irrelevant right now,' Ronaldo said when first asked about the Club World Cup. 'It makes no sense to talk about anything other than the national team.'
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
recommended
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
13 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Guardians ace Shane Bieber stays optimistic despite facing setback in rehab
CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber promised himself after undergoing Tommy John surgery last April that he would be honest about his rehabilitation process. Even though the Cleveland Guardians ace is going through his first setback, Bieber is trying to remain optimistic. Bieber is in the middle of a seven-day pause from throwing after experiencing soreness in his right elbow following his first rehab start on May 31 and a bullpen session on Tuesday. The right-hander was scheduled to make his second rehab start with Double-A Akron on Friday before being shut down. 'My mind went back to a very close buddy of mine said a few weeks or a few months back when I was starting bullpens. He was like, 'Just don't freak out. If you get a setback, everybody gets at least one,'' Bieber said before Saturday's game against the Houston Astros. 'I was hoping to be that anomaly, but at the same time, maybe it's just part of the process and I'm trying to listen to my elbow and my body and do what's best for myself and the team in the long term.' Bieber will be checked again the middle of next week before the team's medical staff and specialist Dr. Keith Meister decide the next steps. Bieber threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in an Arizona Complex League game on May 31, which was his 30th birthday. The 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner faced nine batters, allowed one hit and struck out five while throwing 42 pitches. 'I'm a little frustrated with the timing of it as I get out here to Cleveland and join the team, but unfortunately, these rehab processes aren't exactly linear,' Bieber said. 'I've had a fantastic progression up to this point. A small hiccup, but hopefully we'll just keep it at just that.' Bieber — who agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract last fall with a $16 million player option for 2026 — appeared to be on pace to return to the Guardians' rotation in late June, but that could be delayed until after the All-Star break. Cleveland (33-29) went into Saturday 7 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central, and a half-game out of a wild-card spot. Guardians starters have the sixth-highest ERA in the American League (4.11). ___ AP baseball:
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Revealed – Deadline For Inter Milan To Decide Whether To Sign Nicola Zalewski Permanently From Roma
Revealed – Deadline For Inter Milan To Decide Whether To Sign Nicola Zalewski Permanently From Roma Inter Milan must decide whether to sign Nicola Zalewski permanently from Roma by June 18th. This according to Italian journalist Filippo Biafora. He reports in a tweet that the Nerazzurri have yet to exercise the purchase option in the 23-year-old's loan deal from January. Advertisement Wingback Nicola Zalewski joined Inter Milan on loan during the January transfer window. Al momento la situazione è in stand-by. Il diritto di riscatto scade il 18, per ora non è stato esercitato — Filippo Biafora (@Fil_Biafora) June 7, 2025 The Nerazzurri brought the Polish international in following the departure of Tajon Buchanan. Zalewski's loan only ran until the end of the season. However, it also contained a purchase option, reported to be worth around €6-7 million. Inter Milan Must Decide Whether To Sign Nicola Zalewski From Roma By June 17th TURIN, ITALY – MAY 11: Nicola Zalewski of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Torino and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by) According to Italian journalist Filippo Biafora, the purchase option expires on June 18th. Therefore, the Nerazzurri have just a couple more weeks to decide whether or not to sign Nicola Zalewski on a permanent basis. Advertisement Should Inter sign Zalewski outright, he can be a part of their squad for the Club World Cup this summer. However, the timing of the deadline means that Inter must make a decision before the start of that tournament.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tagger, McDonald win French Open junior titles
PARIS (AP) — Lilli Tagger of Austria has won the girls' title at the French Open without dropping a set in the tournament. Making her junior Roland-Garros debut this year, the 17-year-old Tagger beat eighth-seeded Hannah Klugman of Britain 6-2, 6-0 in the final on Saturday. Advertisement Tagger saved all five break points she faced and hit 19 winners. She is the first Austrian player to win a junior singles title at the French Open. Her previous best result at a major tournament was reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open this year. Niels McDonald won an all-German final against Max Schoenhaus 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-3. McDonald became the first German boys' Grand Slam singles champion since Alexander Zverev won the junior title at the Australian Open in 2014. ___ AP tennis: The Associated Press
