Ronaldo prefers rest to playing in Club World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo preferred to take a rest rather than play in the revamped Club World Cup, the Portuguese international said on Saturday after renewing his contract with Al-Nassr.
The Saudi Pro League club announced on Thursday that Ronaldo had signed a two-year contract which would keep him at the club past his 42nd birthday.
Speculation over the 40-year-old's plans intensified last month when FIFA President Gianni Infantino said discussions were underway about Ronaldo playing in the Club World Cup, despite Al-Nassr failing to qualify.
"I had some offers to play in the World Cup but I think it didn't make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long as it is the World Cup season at the end of the year," Ronaldo said in a video posted by Al-Nassr on X.
"I want to be ready not only for Al-Nassr but also for the national team. So, this is why I decided to play the last game for the Nations League and not listen to anything," he added.
"And of course, to be in this club, which I love".
Ronaldo scored for Portugal in the Nations League final against Spain earlier this month which ended 2-2 before his side went on to beat the European champions on penalties.
The Portugal captain said his aim in staying at Al-Nassr was to win a major trophy with the Riyadh-based side.
"My goal, it's always to win something important for Al-Nassr. And of course I still believe in that" Ronaldo added.
"This is why I renewed the two years more because I believe that I will be a champion in Saudi Arabia".
Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after leaving Manchester United as a free agent, has scored 93 goals in 105 appearances for them in all competitions.
Ronaldo is also eyeing the 1,000-goal milestone in his career. He has scored 794 goals in club football and 138 for Portugal to take his tally to 932.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Ruthless PSG cruise past Inter Miami 4-0 to reach Club World Cup quarters
ATLANTA, Georgia :Joao Neves scored twice as Paris St Germain swept aside Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 4-0 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday to secure their place in the Club World Cup quarter-finals with ruthless efficiency. The French side asserted their dominance within six minutes, with Neves moving unmarked to the far post to power home a precise header from a free kick. Neves doubled PSG's lead in the 39th minute following a well-worked attack involving Bradley Barcola and Fabian Ruiz. Any hopes of a Miami comeback were extinguished in the first half as Messi and company barely got a look in, and their misery deepened further when Tomas Aviles scored an own goal before Achraf Hakimi added a fourth on the stroke of halftime. The Champions League winners march on towards the quarter-finals, where they will face the winners of the clash between Flamengo and Bayern Munich.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Ruthless PSG cruise past Inter Miami 4-0 to reach Club World Cup quarters
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Round of 16 - Paris St Germain v Inter Miami CF - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 29, 2025 Paris St Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma in action as he makes a save from Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Round of 16 - Paris St Germain v Inter Miami CF - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 29, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi in action with Paris St Germain's Willian Pacho REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli ATLANTA, Georgia - Joao Neves scored twice as Paris St Germain swept aside Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 4-0 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday to secure their place in the Club World Cup quarter-finals with ruthless efficiency. The French side asserted their dominance within six minutes, with Neves moving unmarked to the far post to power home a precise header from a free kick. Neves doubled PSG's lead in the 39th minute following a well-worked attack involving Bradley Barcola and Fabian Ruiz. Any hopes of a Miami comeback were extinguished in the first half as Messi and company barely got a look in, and their misery deepened further when Tomas Aviles scored an own goal before Achraf Hakimi added a fourth on the stroke of halftime. The Champions League winners march on towards the quarter-finals, where they will face the winners of the clash between Flamengo and Bayern Munich. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Relief for Spain as Bonmati cleared to return after health scare
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's Champions League - Final - Arsenal v FC Barcelona - Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal - May 24, 2025 FC Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura/File Photo Relief for Spain as Bonmati cleared to return after health scare Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati has been discharged from hospital after treatment for viral meningitis and is expected to rejoin the national squad soon, the Spanish Football Federation said on Sunday. The 27-year-old missed Spain's 3-1 victory over Japan in a friendly on Friday as the team prepare for their European Championship Group B match against Portugal on July 3. The Barcelona player, winner of the Ballon d'Or award in 2023 and 2024, posted a photo from her hospital bed on social media on Sunday, giving a thumbs-up and stating: "Fortunately, everything is going well. I hope to return soon." Bonmati has been pivotal for Spain, scoring 30 goals in 78 appearances and helping them win the 2023 Women's World Cup and last year's Nations League. Spain, who also have Belgium and Italy in their group, are aiming to surpass their best Euro finish, a semi-final appearance in 1997. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
