Cristiano Ronaldo makes his Al-Nassr, Club World Cup status clear
While many thought that Ronaldo was on his way out of Al-Nassr, the star himself shut down those rumors.
Ronaldo told reporters after Portugal's Nations League final win over Spain that there will be no significant changes this summer.
'Practically nothing is going to change,' Ronaldo said.
When asked if that meant staying with Saudi Professional League side Al-Nassr, he said, 'Yes.'
3 Cristiano Ronaldo in a game for Al-Nassr.
AFP via Getty Images
Many believed that, due to his contract with the club expiring on June 30, he would try to move to a team participating in the Club World Cup in the United States that begins Saturday
These rumors were further fueled by the current FIFA president, Gianni Infantino.
In May, he hinted that the Portuguese striker might play for a team at the Club World Cup.
Ronaldo addressed these rumors.
'You can't go to everything,' he said. 'I've pretty much made up my mind not to go to the Club World Cup.'
3 Cristiano Ronaldo is pictured moments after scoring against Spain.
AP
Ronaldo has been with Al-Nassr since 2022 after leaving Manchester United.
During his time in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo scored 74 goals and won two Saudi Pro League Golden Boot awards.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also added a trophy this weekend.
Ronaldo was a key part of the Portugal team that defeated Spain in the UEFA Nations League final, 5-3 on penalty kicks.
In the 61st minute, with his country trailing 2-1, the ball bounced around the box and found its way to Ronaldo, who was able to slot it past the keeper to tie the game.
3 Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the UEFA Nations League Trophy.
REUTERS
After the contest, Ronaldo was very emotional.
He couldn't even watch most of the penalty kicks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Soccer players' union hits back at ‘autocratic' FIFA and Infantino in fallout from Club World Cup
The global soccer players' union hit back at FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino on Friday, saying their autocratic style of leadership was harming the rights of its members. 'Football needs responsible leadership, not emperors,' the FIFPRO network said after a meeting of 58 national player unions responded to FIFA pursuing its agenda with unofficial player representatives. 'It needs fewer autocratic monologues and more genuine, inclusive and transparent dialogue,' the union added. FIFA announced two weeks ago it reached a consensus on key issues after Infantino hosted a group of mostly non-recognized officials in New York ahead of the Club World Cup final. The latest rift between soccer's governing body and its players' unions flared while the European Commission in Brussels is considering a formal complaint against FIFA . It was filed by FIFPRO's European division and national leagues in Europe against FIFA's style of governance and decision-making. FIFPRO said FIFA's core agenda included an overloaded global match calendar with too many games for elite players, lack of physical and mental recovery periods and extreme playing conditions. Players at the month-long Club World Cup in the United States reported feeling dizzy and unwell in the heat of daytime games played to appeal to worldwide TV audiences. The 63-game tournament backed by Saudi Arabian money was lucrative for clubs, especially in Europe, though FIFA added it to the schedule without formally consulting players. The tournament, FIFPRO said, was 'celebrated by President Infantino despite being held under conditions that were extreme and inappropriate for any human being, demonstrating a troubling insensitivity to human rights, even when it concerns elite athletes. 'FIFPRO reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of men and women players — rights which are being seriously undermined by commercial policies imposed by its autocratic system of governance,' the Netherlands-based union said of FIFA. 'This is a model that puts the health of players at risk and sidelines those at the heart of the game,' FIFPRO said, adding it was 'unacceptable for an organization that claims global leadership to turn a blind eye to the basic needs of the players.' FIFA was approached for comment. FIFPRO has not had a formal working agreement with FIFA since the previous one expired in 2023. ___ AP soccer:
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Soccer players' union hits back at 'autocratic' FIFA and Infantino in fallout from Club World Cup
The global soccer players' union hit back at FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino on Friday, saying their autocratic style of leadership was harming the rights of its members. 'Football needs responsible leadership, not emperors,' the FIFPRO network said after a meeting of 58 national player unions responded to FIFA pursuing its agenda with unofficial player representatives. 'It needs fewer autocratic monologues and more genuine, inclusive and transparent dialogue,' the union added. FIFA announced two weeks ago it reached a consensus on key issues after Infantino hosted a group of mostly non-recognized officials in New York ahead of the Club World Cup final. The latest rift between soccer's governing body and its players' unions flared while the European Commission in Brussels is considering a formal complaint against FIFA. It was filed by FIFPRO's European division and national leagues in Europe against FIFA's style of governance and decision-making. FIFPRO said FIFA's core agenda included an overloaded global match calendar with too many games for elite players, lack of physical and mental recovery periods and extreme playing conditions. Players at the month-long Club World Cup in the United States reported feeling dizzy and unwell in the heat of daytime games played to appeal to worldwide TV audiences. The 63-game tournament backed by Saudi Arabian money was lucrative for clubs, especially in Europe, though FIFA added it to the schedule without formally consulting players. The tournament, FIFPRO said, was 'celebrated by President Infantino despite being held under conditions that were extreme and inappropriate for any human being, demonstrating a troubling insensitivity to human rights, even when it concerns elite athletes. 'FIFPRO reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of men and women players — rights which are being seriously undermined by commercial policies imposed by its autocratic system of governance,' the Netherlands-based union said of FIFA. 'This is a model that puts the health of players at risk and sidelines those at the heart of the game,' FIFPRO said, adding it was 'unacceptable for an organization that claims global leadership to turn a blind eye to the basic needs of the players.' ___
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Soccer players' union hits back at 'autocratic' FIFA and Infantino in fallout from Club World Cup
Associated Press The global soccer players' union hit back at FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino on Friday, saying their autocratic style of leadership was harming the rights of its members. 'Football needs responsible leadership, not emperors,' the FIFPRO network said after a meeting of 58 national player unions responded to FIFA pursuing its agenda with unofficial player representatives. 'It needs fewer autocratic monologues and more genuine, inclusive and transparent dialogue,' the union added. FIFA announced two weeks ago it reached a consensus on key issues after Infantino hosted a group of mostly non-recognized officials in New York ahead of the Club World Cup final. The latest rift between soccer's governing body and its players' unions flared while the European Commission in Brussels is considering a formal complaint against FIFA. It was filed by FIFPRO's European division and national leagues in Europe against FIFA's style of governance and decision-making. FIFPRO said FIFA's core agenda included an overloaded global match calendar with too many games for elite players, lack of physical and mental recovery periods and extreme playing conditions. Players at the month-long Club World Cup in the United States reported feeling dizzy and unwell in the heat of daytime games played to appeal to worldwide TV audiences. The 63-game tournament backed by Saudi Arabian money was lucrative for clubs, especially in Europe, though FIFA added it to the schedule without formally consulting players. The tournament, FIFPRO said, was 'celebrated by President Infantino despite being held under conditions that were extreme and inappropriate for any human being, demonstrating a troubling insensitivity to human rights, even when it concerns elite athletes. 'FIFPRO reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of men and women players — rights which are being seriously undermined by commercial policies imposed by its autocratic system of governance,' the Netherlands-based union said of FIFA. 'This is a model that puts the health of players at risk and sidelines those at the heart of the game,' FIFPRO said, adding it was 'unacceptable for an organization that claims global leadership to turn a blind eye to the basic needs of the players.' FIFA was approached for comment. FIFPRO has not had a formal working agreement with FIFA since the previous one expired in 2023. ___ AP soccer: recommended Item 1 of 3
