Latest news with #Ronaldo
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cristiano Ronaldo to remain at Al-Nassr following fresh agreement
Cristiano Ronaldo to remain at Al-Nassr following fresh agreement Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to sign a new two-year contract with Saudi Pro League (SPL) club Al-Nassr, according to Foot Mercato. There were rumours about Ronaldo joining Saudi rivals Al-Hilal or Al-Ahli, which intensified after he posted a cryptic message on Twitter. The post raised doubts about whether he would continue with Al-Nassr beyond this season. Advertisement However, Ronaldo is set to extend his stay at Al-Nassr until 2027. This new contract would keep him in Saudi Arabia beyond his 42nd birthday. Ronaldo ends the season as the top scorer but without a trophy The former Real Madrid star had another strong season in front of goal, bagging 35 goals and four assists across all competitions. Ronaldo finished the league season with 25 goals in 30 matches. He won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot for the second year running. Despite his individual success, Al-Nassr endured a disappointing campaign. The club finished third in the league, falling short in their pursuit of the title. Advertisement They were also eliminated in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League by Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale and missed out on the Saudi Super Cup and the King's Cup. Despite this, the Portuguese forward's commitment to the project appears strong. His goal return remains impressive, and he continues to deliver at a decent level. If the deal goes through as expected, SPL fans can look forward to watching Ronaldo for another two years. His continued presence in the league will also help maintain global interest in the SPL.
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Cloak-and-dagger games continue to cloud Fifa's Club World Cup
As European footballers take their post-season vacations, with the continent's southern beaches providing mental and physical havens, there comes the realisation that the club game will go global this summer. Looming on June 14 is the Club World Cup's opener, between Al Ahly of Egypt, and Inter Miami of the United States, Africa versus North America. By little coincidence, the latter team feature Lionel Messi, who celebrates his 38th birthday during Fifa's new month-long showpiece. Messi's presence came via spurious means, his club granted entry after winning the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) Supporters' Shield – awarded to the team with the best overall record during the regular season. That Inter bombed out of the subsequent play-offs and eventual MLS champions LA Galaxy will be absent is just one wrinkle in the make-up of the 32-team finalists. Red Bull Salzburg, 34th in this season's 36-team Uefa Champions League, winning just a single match, take their place, by virtue of a complicated coefficient which restricted countries to two entries. The Austrian side qualified by being the 18th best team over four years of the Champions League, after featuring in the group stages up to 2023-24 and making the round of 16 in 2022. There will be 12 European teams in the United States and yet this season's champions of England, Liverpool, and of Spain, Barcelona, will not be present, unable to take advantage of the potential €100 million (S$146.6 million) prize bounty on offer. For a club like Chelsea, teetering financially, and involved in all sorts of financial chicanery to pass profit and sustainability regulations, such a bonus competition is welcome. They qualify by dint of winning the Champions League under the previous ownership of Roman Abramovich in 2021. As curious as all that might be, there should be no confusion over the point of this competition – Fifa's attempt to gain hold of the club game from Uefa, and maybe Conmebol, the South American equivalent. Why? Simply, the club game is where the real money is, as Fifa president Gianni Infantino is all too aware. That the trophy has been sat in Donald Trump's Oval Office show the hard politicking that Infantino involves himself in. That the broadcast partner will be Dazn, a British streaming platform which just happen to have had a recent US$1 billion (S$1.3 billion) Saudi investment, news of which arrived around the time Saudi Arabia was awarded the 2034 World Cup, is little coincidence. Infantino has also revealed that his brainchild may feature a special guest, Cristiano Ronaldo, available to the highest bidder – or any bidder – who wants the 40-year-old to play for them. Ronaldo's status with his Saudi club Al-Nassr is unclear. That Ronaldo's availability was revealed by Infantino while appearing on YouTuber IShowSpeed's channel when he refuses interviews with mainstream media only adds to the circus quality of this summer event. Perhaps the world is ready for a global club event, and there would be many takers for fixtures like, say, Real Madrid versus Boca Juniors, but it may take some time for the suspicions of motives and machinations to wear off. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Full schedule, groups, and key fixtures unveiled for U.S. debut
Tournament Structure: Expanded Format Mirrors 2026 World Cup Live Events Key Dates for FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group Stage: June 14 – June 26 Round of 16: June 28 – July 1 Quarterfinals: July 4 – July 5 Semifinals: July 8 – July 9 Final: July 13 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey Fixture Highlights: Messi, Ronaldo, and Global Icons on Display How to Watch the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Group A: Al Ahly, FC Porto, SE Palmeiras, Inter Miami Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, SL Benfica Group D: Chelsea, Flamengo, Espérance de Tunis, LAFC/Club América Group E: Inter Milan, River Plate, CF Monterrey, Urawa Red Diamonds Group F: Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns Group G: Manchester City, Juventus, Al Ain FC, Wydad AC Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, CF Pachuca, FC Salzburg American Audiences to Witness High-Stakes Club Football FAQs When and where will the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 take place? How many teams are competing? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The world's premier club football showdown, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, is all set to kick off in the United States, marking the tournament's largest-ever edition. For the first time in its history, the FIFA Club World Cup schedule features 32 elite teams from 20 countries, competing across American venues in what promises to be a landmark moment for global football on U.S. soil. The expanded format begins officially with a play-in fixture on May 31, featuring LAFC and Club América, vying for the final spot in the tournament's group main phase of the tournament begins on June 14, leading up to the grand final on July 13 at the iconic MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, as mentioned in a report by USA a nod to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 structure, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup introduces eight groups with four clubs each. The top two from each group will progress to a traditional knockout format beginning with the Round of clubs, including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Chelsea are among the confirmed participants. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders represent Major League 12 clubs hail from Europe, with additional representation from South America, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and CONCACAF regions, as per a report by USA group stage begins with a high-profile clash between Al Ahly and Inter Miami on June 14 in Miami. The very next day, Bayern Munich faces Auckland City, while Paris Saint-Germain meets Atlético Madrid in speculation swirling around a potential transfer involving Cristiano Ronaldo, interest in the tournament continues to mount. Matches will take place in cities such as Seattle, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Orlando, and Washington, D.C., ensuring nationwide fan match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be streamed live and globally accessible via the tournament's official broadcasting Stage Overview: A Diverse SlateUnlike past summer exhibitions, this edition of the FIFA Club World Cup schedule features competitive fixtures with silverware at stake. With clubs arriving at full strength and national pride on the line, the 2025 tournament is expected to ignite fervour among U.S. fans and boost football's footprint in North global titans take to American pitches this summer, the stage is set for a historic edition of club football's most prestigious global tournament begins May 31 with a play-in match and officially runs from June 14 to July 13, 2025, across major U.S. cities. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.A record 32 clubs from 20 countries are participating in the expanded format.
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
Cristiano Ronaldo makes decision over future after Club World Cup talks
Cristiano Ronaldo has chosen to sign a new contract with Al-Nassr and will not play at the Club World Cup this summer, according to reports. The 40-year-old has just finished his third season in the Saudi Pro League and ended up as the division's top scorer for the second campaign in a row. However, Al-Nassr endured a difficult season as they finished third in the Saudi Pro League and failed to qualify for the AFC Champions League. After Al-Nassr's final game of the season on Monday night which ended in a 3-2 defeat to Al-Fateh, Ronaldo indicated on his social media channels that he would be leaving the Saudi club. 'This chapter is over,' Ronaldo wrote alongside a picture of himself in an Al-Nassr shirt. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. 'The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.' Al-Hilal, who are due to play Real Madrid in their first group game at the Club World Cup on June 18, had held talks to sign Ronaldo on a free transfer, with his contract due to expire on June 30. Moroccan side Wydad Athletic Club had also held exploratory talks to sign Ronaldo for their Club World Cup campaign this summer. However, FootMercato reports that Al-Nassr have reached an agreement to extend Ronaldo's contract. The report claims that a deal has already been signed, and Ronaldo is expected to remain with the Saudi club for another two seasons. More Trending Speaking on Thursday, Al-Nassr's sporting director, Fernando Hierro, claimed that negotiations with Ronaldo over a contract extension were ongoing. 'We are still in negotiations with Cristiano,' Hierro said. 'Hopefully we can find a solution on a renewal. 'Cris is now with his national team, with a few days off. His contract runs until June 30. We'll continue working so that all parties can reach an understanding. 'Without a doubt, everyone is working to ensure he continues here. There is a strong push from the entire country for him to stay and that will also be very important for him.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Gary Lineker names the 'amazing' player he doesn't want to win the Ballon d'Or MORE: Ruben Amorim sends clear message to Bruno Fernandes over Al-Hilal transfer MORE: Why Liam Delap snubbed Man Utd and signed for Chelsea
Observer
a day 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.
