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New York Times
an hour ago
- Business
- New York Times
Cristiano Ronaldo's future is unclear. Could he join one of the teams at the Club World Cup?
Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Al Nassr is up in the air after a disappointing season, and his contract is set to expire at the end of next month. The 40-year-old also posted a cryptic message on his social media earlier this week, writing: 'This chapter is over. The story? Still being written.' With Al Nassr not involved in the tournament, there have long been suggestions that Ronaldo could compete at FIFA's inaugural expanded Club World Cup, which takes place in the United States this summer. And the body's president Gianni Infantino added fuel to the fire during an interview with YouTuber IShowSpeed last weekend. Advertisement Discussing Lionel Messi competing in the event with his MLS club Inter Miami, Infantino then added: 'And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup. There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup… who knows, who knows.' A special transfer window opens for teams competing in the Club World Cup between June 1 and June 10, with sides able to add players before its opening game on June 14. So, could a team move to sign Ronaldo between now and then? Are any of them interested? Is there a chance he could face eternal rival Messi, surely for the final time in their careers, at this tournament? The Athletic's team of reporters approached figures at clubs competing at the Club World Cup to ask whether they would be interested in a move for Ronaldo. Unless otherwise noted, those people spoke under the condition of anonymity to protect relationships. Their responses are below. Chelsea turned down the opportunity to sign Ronaldo in 2022, and are not going to change their minds three years later. The London club have already compiled a list of players they want to play up front for them in the future, including Hugo Ekitike, Liam Delap — who Chelsea have reached a transfer agreement for — and Benjamin Sesko. Like most of the Chelsea squad, these are players all under the age of 25 and have the best of their careers still to come. Their wage demands also fit into the general structure in place at Stamford Bridge. Ronaldo, while respected for all his achievements, simply does not fit into the club's recruitment strategy. Simon Johnson No chance. Juventus are still in arbitration with Ronaldo over an agreement that was made to defer some of his wages while he was with the Turin club during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) ordered Juventus to pay more than €9.7million ($10.35m, £8.3m), plus interest, to Ronaldo in back wages. James Horncastle As exciting as it could be, a Messi vs Ronaldo clash in the opening match of the 2025 Club World Cup is unlikely to happen. Ronaldo joining Al Ahly, the Egyptian side who kick the tournament off against Messi's Inter Miami in that Florida city in two weeks' time, is a transfer that's only possible in video games. Financially, the move just isn't logical due to his salary requirements. Ahmed Walid Mamelodi Sundowns are South Africa's richest team, backed by one of the country's wealthiest men, Patrice Motsepe, who has been in charge since 2003. Since Motsepe became president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2021, his son, Thlopie, has taken over as club chairman, running Sundowns on a day-to-day basis. Advertisement Thlopie confirmed last week that they are considering using the forthcoming transfer window but any new faces are only likely to arrive once their involvement in the Club World Cup is over. That responsibility will fall on Flemming Berg, the club's Danish sporting director, and his assistant, Ryan Hunt. Simon Hughes Palmeiras have not made any move, nor do they plan to do so, to sign Ronaldo. That has been the club's position since mid-May, when the first rumours surfaced that a team from Brazil was interested in the Portuguese forward. They also added they did not envision any Brazilian club being able to afford such a move. The doubts about whether Ronaldo will stay in Saudi Arabia or not, with his current contract about to expire, have not changed the scenario at the Sao Paulo club. Their attacking options will be young Estevao, a right-winger who will join Chelsea after this tournament; the Argentine Jose Manuel Lopez; or Vitor Roque, who failed to meet expectations at Spanish sides Barcelona and Real Betis over the past two seasons and did not score in his first nine games with Palmeiras after joining in February. Mario Cortegana Even as their Brazilian rivals have made a habit of making splashy signings from European football over the past decade, Fluminense have generally been more circumspect. This is in large part due to their financial situation: compared to the country's big hitters — Palmeiras, Flamengo, Corinthians — they have a pretty modest budget and prefer to cut their cloth accordingly. It was no surprise, then, that a source at the club immediately rejected the idea that Rio de Janeiro-based Fluminense could offer Ronaldo a new challenge. Jack Lang Another Brazilian side who have no interest in, and have had no discussions over, signing Ronaldo. Although the club's owner, John Textor, attended Al Nassr training sessions due to his relationship with their chief executive Majed AlJamaan, any suggestion that he might join the Rio side or that he would be involved in the Eagle Football multi-club vehicle where Textor is chairman have been described to The Athletic as 'a bizarre fantasy story'. Matt Woosnam Flamengo have also ruled out a move for Ronaldo ahead of the Club World Cup, mainly for financial reasons. Jorginho's arrival from Arsenal is their latest planned move for the tournament. Jose Boto, Flamengo's sporting director, is Portuguese and has very good contacts in his home country, which could potentially facilitate the deal at some point. However, it is not something Rio-based Flamengo have seriously considered. Mario Cortegana Inter's American ownership, the asset management firm Oaktree, has provided stability and financial security for this weekend's Champions League finalists. They are also committed to rejuvenating a squad that is the oldest in this season's Champions League. 'Investments will be made in slightly younger profiles who represent a real asset, players with potential who are an asset for the present and the future,' Inter's CEO Giuseppe Marotta explained to The Athletic this week. That doesn't sound like Ronaldo, who turned 40 in February. Advertisement Marotta was at Juventus when Ronaldo joined them in 2018, but that was a signing driven by colleague Fabio Paratici. Marotta left the club a few months later, and Inter have since replaced Juventus as the real force in Italian football. The prospect of Marotta signing Ronaldo for Inter — regardless of the new ownership's strategy for the Milanese club — is unlikely. James Horncastle Ronaldo and City manager Pep Guardiola nearly joined forces in 2021 before he decided to return to neighbours United from Juventus at the eleventh hour. A deal was broadly agreed then, but long phone conversations with former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and ex-Old Trafford team-mate Rio Ferdinand convinced Ronaldo how ruinous switching to the other side of Manchester would be for his legacy. At the time, City were also looking at Harry Kane to fill the centre-forward void left by the departure during the same window of Sergio Aguero. There is no such vacancy now that they have Erling Haaland, who has committed himself to the club for the next decade. City also added Omar Marmoush to their attacking ranks in January and are attempting to bring down the average age of the squad. Ronaldo is into his fifth decade, his powers are understandably waning, and he is unlikely to be able to play on one of the wings anymore. That said, the way Guardiola has incorporated Haaland into his team by allowing him not to get involved in any build-up play is a dilution of his football idealism that was not known four years ago. It would have been fun to see Guardiola work with Ronaldo, having played such an important role in Messi's first few years at Barcelona, but the chances of it happening are virtually zero. Jordan Campbell Since his departure from Madrid to join Juventus, Ronaldo has explored the possibility of moving back to the Bernabeu on several occasions. The last opportunity was two years ago, when he was on his way out of United. According to senior sources at Madrid, his agent at the time, Jorge Mendes, offered him to them several times during the summer of 2023, with very advantageous financial conditions. Advertisement The club's stance has always been clear in these situations, as it was during this season when the possibility of Sergio Ramos returning also came up: they have total gratitude for both players' time at the club, but they believe it should be left in the past. Madrid are committed to their project, which is now focused on new blood, without focusing on the economic elements. Mario Cortegana and Guillermo Rai There is zero chance. Bayern's forward line will be led by Kane this summer in the States, and Ronaldo would offer nothing beyond unhelpful media attention. The German champions are paying no attention to his availability at all. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor The French club have not made any moves in terms of Ronaldo, and has no plans to do so. Their total focus is on the Champions League final showdown with Inter on Saturday night, which also shows why bringing him in is not among their plans. Their overall project as a club has pivoted since manager Luis Enrique's 2024 arrival to build a team based on their Spanish coach and young talent, moving away from the collection of the world's most famous stars previously in the line-up. The success of this season reinforces this idea and has led to renewing the contracts in recent months of the aforementioned Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos, who is always in close contact with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Mario Cortegana In Serhou Guirassy, Dortmund believe they have one of the in-form forwards in European football and they will head to the U.S. fully confident in their ability to score plenty of goals in this tournament. There's no conversation to be had about signing Ronaldo. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor Ronaldo will not be joining Atletico for the Club World Cup. The Spanish club are taking the tournament very seriously, and coach Diego Simeone's team will be playing their usual high-intensity, hard-working style, and have top internationals such as Julian Alvarez, Alexander Sorloth and Antoine Griezmann to lead their attack. Advertisement Adding the 40-year-old former Madrid player for their U.S. challenge would just not make sense. Dermot Corrigan Porto have no interest in signing Ronaldo, who came through the academy at one of their great domestic rivals, Lisbon's Sporting CP. They are, however, focusing their efforts on another (far younger) forward from the Saudi Pro League: Gabri Veiga. The 23-year-old made a surprise move from Celta Vigo to Al Ahli two years ago and is a key target for them this summer. James Horncastle Ronaldo supported Benfica as a young boy, but it would be a colossal surprise if they were to approach him now. He came through the youth ranks at their local Lisbon rivals, Sporting, and it would need a huge amount of PR massaging to make a cross-city move look like anything other than a betrayal, even at this late stage of his career. He also once stuck a middle finger up at Benfica fans while playing for United, so the appetite from their supporters for his signing might also be limited. Jack Lang In recent seasons, the Mexicans have been known for signing La Liga stars such as Sergio Canales and especially Sergio Ramos. For that reason, it might seem logical that they would be looking to do the same with Ronaldo. However, very senior sources at Monterrey played down this option ahead of the Club World Cup: 'We haven't moved on anything at all. But there is so much noise that, if he wants to come and he comes for free, then we will think about it.' Guillermo Rai A source close to Ronaldo told The Athletic last week that it would not make sense for Al Nassr to renew his contract and then move him out on loan to a team playing in the Club World Cup. That said, a renewal is not out of the question. However, a source at the Riyadh club suggested it depended in part on the outcome of their season — and this came to a negative end, with Al Nassr finishing third in the Saudi Pro League, having lost in the Asian Champions League's semi-finals. Guillermo Rai
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Cristiano Ronaldo 'makes shock U-turn over £167m-per-year contract offer' - as star 'reaches agreement with Al-Nassr over new deal'
Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to stay at Al-Nassr despite a cryptic social media post which appeared to signal the end of his time in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo's contract with the club is set to come to an end on June 30. The 40-year-old had previously been close to agreeing a new deal worth £167million-per-year. On Monday, the Portuguese declared on Instagram that 'this chapter is over' prompting speculation that he would leave Al-Nassr. Ronaldo has since since been linked to various teams, including his former club Sporting, while there have been suggestions that he could head to the MLS, Brazil, Turkey or another Saudi Arabian club. However, according to French outlet Foot Mercato, Ronaldo has since signed a new contract to stay with Al-Nassr. On Thursday, the club remained defiant statement, indicating confidence in their ability to keep the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar. Speaking in a press conference, Al-Nassr sporting director Fernando Hierro outlined his optimism. Hierro said: 'I have to be positive. I don't think Ronaldo will leave Al-Nassr. 'In any case, we are working hard on all aspects. 'Ronaldo's contract with Al-Nassr runs until the end of June 30. 'We will work to renew his contract so he can continue with us, and there are many clubs interested in signing him. 'He is a huge phenomenon in the history of football and has helped the league grow. 'We are in contact to renew his contract and hope he continues with us.' Last week, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino suggested that Ronaldo could feature in the Club World Cup. With Al-Nassr not involved in the competition, Infantion's comments suggested Ronaldo could be on the move. 'Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup,' he said. 'There are discussions.' 'There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup… who knows, who knows.' However, with reports now suggesting Ronaldo is staying put, he looks set to miss FIFA's new club showpiece competition. Since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023, Ronaldo has scored 93 goals in 105 appearances. He won the Arab Champions Cup in 2023 but has yet to take home the Saudi Pro League or the King's Cup.
Observer
15 hours ago
- Business
- Observer
Saudis in 'difficult' talks to keep Ronaldo next season: PIF source
Saudi officials are in "difficult" talks to keep Cristiano Ronaldo in the country, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told AFP on Thursday, after the star footballer suggested he was leaving Al Nassr. The Portuguese superstar, whose arrival in 2023 heralded a rush of late-career players to the oil-rich country, could transfer to Al Hilal and feature at the upcoming Club World Club, the source said. "There is an ongoing difficult negotiation to convince Ronaldo to stay and play" in the Saudi Pro League next season, said the source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a major investor in Saudi football. "First option is a transfer to Al Hilal with an opportunity to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup or to Asia champion Al Ahli," the source added. The oil-funded PIF, the sovereign wealth fund behind a number of big-ticket Saudi investments, controls a group of Pro League clubs including Al Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ahli. Ronaldo posted "This chapter is over" hours after the Saudi Pro League wrapped up this week with Al Nassr finishing third and trophy less once again. A special transfer window opens from June 1-10 to allow the 32 teams involved in the newly expanded Club World Cup to sign players. Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said "there are discussions" over the former United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon star playing at the tournament in the United States from June 14. Portuguese forward Ronaldo, 40, joined Al Nassr in early 2023 from Manchester United and his contract expires at the end of next month. "Ronaldo's presence is a key factor in developing the Saudi league in the last two years and a half. He opens the door for elite and young players to come to Saudi Arabia," the PIF source said. Ronaldo's announcement comes just months after Brazilian star Neymar ended his injury-plagued 18-month stay in January, after playing just seven times for Al Hilal -- on a reported salary of around $104 million a year. Although Ronaldo was the Pro League's top scorer with 25 goals, he has been unable to win a Saudi or continental trophy with Al Nassr, who lost in the Asian Champions League semi-finals last month. Last year, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said he could end his career with Al Nassr, the Riyadh team favoured by a number of Saudi royals. Meanwhile, Ronaldo's great rival Lionel Messi will play at the Club World Cup with Inter Miami. During a recent interview with YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, Infantino said: "And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup. "There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup... who knows, who knows. " Saudi Arabia has shaken up football by spending heavily on stars from Europe, starting with Ronaldo's move, and the desert nation will host the World Cup in 2034.
Saudi Gazette
16 hours ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Could Cristiano Ronaldo join Al Hilal?
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns the Kingdom's four biggest football clubs — Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli — is reportedly engaged in high-stakes negotiations to convince Cristiano Ronaldo to remain in the Saudi Pro League. The discussions follow a cryptic message posted by the Portuguese superstar that hinted at a possible exit from Al Nassr. A PIF source told AFP that Ronaldo's top option is to join Al Hilal — Saudi Arabia's most decorated club — with a potential opportunity to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup, set to kick off in the United States on June 14. Al Ahli, reigning Asian champions, are also said to be in the mix. According to local media reports, Al Hilal has already greenlit a mega-deal to bring Ronaldo into their squad before the global tournament insiders say the move would unlock a war chest exceeding $400 million, enabling a full squad overhaul that could include releasing several foreign players and acquiring high-profile Saudi Al Hilal had previously dismissed the idea, citing concerns about disrupting the team's tactical structure, attitudes have shifted have intensified over the past three weeks, with the club now viewing Ronaldo as a financial and sporting catalyst capable of transforming their future officials are expected to make a final decision on Ronaldo's transfer early next a press conference on Thursday, Al Nassr's sporting director Fernando Hierro reaffirmed that Ronaldo's contract runs until June 30, and said the club is still working with all parties to reach a resolution."There is a lot of work happening behind the scenes," Hierro said. "Ronaldo is a phenomenon, and there's significant interest from fans in Saudi Arabia for him to stay."Ronaldo's cryptic Instagram post —'This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.'— sparked speculation after Al Nassr ended their season with a 3-2 defeat to Al loss cemented a third-place finish, denying them a spot in the AFC Champions League 40-year-old has yet to lift a domestic title with Al Nassr since joining in late 2022 on a two-and-a-half-year deal worth over €200 only silverware remains the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. Despite the trophy drought, Ronaldo remains a potent force—finishing as the Saudi Pro League's top scorer for the second straight season with 25 from Al Hilal say the club would need to offload current stars like Malcom, Kalidou Koulibaly, Renan Lodi, and Aleksandar Mitrović to make space for Ronaldo. This reshuffle, coupled with targeted domestic signings, could usher in a new era for the capital club—but only if the budget windfall tied to Ronaldo's arrival is about Ronaldo's next move extends beyond Saudi Arabia. Clubs from Brazil, Mexico, and Europe have all been linked, though nothing official has to the intrigue, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed there have been discussions to place Ronaldo with a Club World Cup participant."There are talks with clubs. Ronaldo may play—who knows?" Infantino told YouTube personality The Athletic reported that Ronaldo's representatives were displeased with Infantino's public remarks, emphasizing that no decision has been clear is that Ronaldo remains a central figure in Saudi football's global ambitions. His presence has helped lure other top-tier talents, though efforts to sign Lionel Messi fell short.
Daily Tribune
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Saudis in ‘difficult' talks to keep Ronaldo next season: PIF source
Saudi officials are in 'difficult' talks to keep Cristiano Ronaldo in the country, a source with knowledge of the negotiations said yesterday, after the star footballer suggested he was leaving Al Nassr. The Portuguese superstar, whose arrival in 2023 heralded a rush of late-career players to the oil-rich country, could transfer to Al Hilal and feature at the upcoming Club World Club, the source said. 'There is an ongoing difficult negotiation to convince Ronaldo to stay and play' in the Saudi Pro League next season, said the source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a major investor in Saudi football. 'First option is a transfer to Al Hilal with an opportunity to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup or to Asia champion Al Ahli,' the source added. The oil-funded PIF, the sovereign wealth fund behind a number of big-ticket Saudi investments, controls a group of Pro League clubs including Al Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ahli. Ronaldo posted 'This chapter is over' hours after the Saudi Pro League wrapped up this week with Al Nassr finishing third and trophyless once again. A special transfer window opens from June 1-10 to allow the 32 teams involved in the newly expanded Club World Cup to sign players. Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said 'there are discussions' over the former United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon star playing at the tournament in the United States from June 14. Portuguese forward Ronaldo, 40, joined Al Nassr in early 2023 from Manchester United and his contract expires at the end of next month. 'Ronaldo's presence is a key factor in developing the Saudi league in the last two years and a half. He opens the door for elite and young players to come to Saudi Arabia,' the PIF source said. Chet Holmgren added 22 points and Jalen Williams netted 19 for the Thunder, whose average age of 25.6 years makes them the youngest team in the NBA Finals since Portland in 1977. 'We have 17 dudes on the roster who will bring it every single game whether it's a closeout game or not,' Holmgren said. 'It's a step in the journey. We still have a season to play (in the Finals) so we're not done.'
