Ronaldo extends contract with Al-Nassr for two more years
RIYADH, June 26, (AP): Cristiano Ronaldo signed a two-year contract extension with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on Thursday.
The Portugal great's deal lets him continue playing until at least the age of 42 and will give him the chance to add to his record-breaking career.
"A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let's make history together,' Ronaldo said in a social media post.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner moved to Saudi Arabia at the end of 2022 in one of the most shocking transfers in soccer history after leaving Manchester United. The spectacular deal was reportedly worth up to $200 million a year and led to a slew of top players leaving Europe for the oil-rich kingdom, including Neymar and Karim Benzema.
Ronaldo sparked uncertainty about his future at the end of the Saudi season last month when announcing the "the chapter is over." But the announcement on Thursday put an end to speculation about his next move.
"Al-Nassr forever,' he said in a video accompanying the announcement.
The deal is evidence that the 40-year-old former Real Madrid forward wants to achieve more in what has been one of the finest soccer careers of all time.
The five-time Champions League winner has just added another trophy to his collection after helping Portugal lift the UEFA Nations League - and it is likely he will still be representing his country at next year's World Cup.
In all, Ronaldo has won 28 major trophies with club and country. He is the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League with 141 goals.
But trophies have been harder to come by in Saudi Arabia, where he has had only limited success.
His one trophy so far was the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023, and Al-Nassr is yet to win the Saudi Pro League in three attempts with Ronaldo in the team.
Still, his latest deal was hailed by the club, which posted a video of him walking on a beach with the caption "The Story continues..' along with emojis of a goat and a gold heart.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
13 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
PSG's CWC reunion with Messi recalls unhappier times
ATLANTA: Paris Saint-Germain have come to the Club World Cup as newly crowned champions of Europe, but a meeting with the Inter Miami of Lionel Messi in the last 16 this Sunday brings back memories of unhappier times for the French club. PSG's stunning 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in Munich at the end of last month which allowed them to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time completed an incredible season for the Qatar-backed side under the coaching of Luis Enrique. It is no coincidence that PSG achieved their crowning glory in their first season after definitively shifting their focus away from signing superstar players to instead allow a brilliant coach to work with a hungry, dynamic young team. Kylian Mbappe's move a year ago to Real Madrid followed the departures in 2023 of Neymar, the world's most expensive signing when he joined in 2017, and Messi, in the same summer Luis Enrique was appointed. When PSG pounced in August 2021 to sign Messi after a cash-strapped Barcelona were unable to keep him, the French side logically thought the Argentinian could be the man to deliver elusive Champions League glory. Messi, who was 34 at the time, thought the same thing. 'My dream is to win another Champions League and I think I am in the ideal place to have that chance and to do it,' he said at his unveiling. Alas, it did not work out that way, either in Messi's first season in Paris, under compatriot Mauricio Pochettino in 2021/22, or in the next campaign under Christophe Galtier. PSG had got to the Champions League final and then semi-finals in the two seasons prior to Messi's arrival, so he looked like the final piece in the jigsaw. Instead they went backwards with him in the side, going out of Europe's elite club competition in the last 16 two years running. Having to fit in Messi — with his estimated annual salary of €30 million ($35.2 million) after tax — as well as Neymar and Mbappe may have increased the star appeal, but it weakened them as a team. Towards the end the Barcelona legend was even being jeered by some sections of the PSG support who felt Messi's commitment to the cause was not what it should have been. Messi was a PSG player when he inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in late 2022, but there were only flashes of his genius at club level in France. His statistics stand up to any scrutiny, with 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances, and he did win two Ligue 1 titles while helping increase PSG's value as a brand. But one memorable quote by a columnist in French sports daily L'Equipe rather summed things up. 'PSG have not been better than they were before because of he seemed to have as much desire to play in Ligue 1 as he did to go to the dentist,' wrote Vincent Duluc. Fast forward two years and Messi is enjoying the twilight of his career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, the team he has helped to qualify for the knockout stage of this Club World Cup. Fate has therefore thrown up a last-16 showdown with PSG on Sunday in Atlanta, at the same stadium where he scored a marvellous free-kick to secure a 2-1 win over Porto last week. 'All is not forgiven', said the front page of L'Equipe in France on Friday as it described the feelings of 'failure and bitterness' left behind from the Argentine's spell there. Miami coach Javier Mascherano, meanwhile, believes the unhappy memory of his time in Paris could spur Messi on. 'It's clear that for us it's better if he plays angry, because he's one of those players who, when he has something on his mind, gives an extra effort,' Mascherano told ESPN. With Luis Enrique and PSG boasting big ambitions of adding a world title to their European crown, there would be even more bitterness felt if Messi — days after his 38th birthday — managed to knock them out on Sunday. – AFP
Arab Times
16 hours ago
- Arab Times
Al-Arabi part ways with Al-Shatti after 2 seasons, Al-Salmiya move imminent
KUWAIT CITY, June 28: Al-Arabi has officially announced the departure of national coach Nasser Al-Shatti and his entire coaching staff, including Maitham Al-Shatti, Saleh Mahdi, and Ali Boland. The decision comes after two seasons of collaboration, with recent negotiations over a contract extension reaching a deadlock. Despite holding several meetings over the past 10 days, the two sides failed to agree on key terms for a renewed deal. Under Al-Shatti's leadership—alongside his brother and assistant Maitham—Al-Arabi had a strong season, finishing second in both the Zain Premier League and the Crown Prince Cup. The team also reached the final of the Emir's Cup, which has been postponed due to the current situation. However, no titles were secured during his tenure. Al-Shatti is now a leading candidate to take over at Al-Salmiya for the 2025–2026 season. Sources indicate that the two parties have already agreed on most terms of the proposed contract, with an official announcement expected soon. This potential move comes as Al-Salmiya looks to end its contract with Croatian coach Ante Miša, who remains under contract until the end of next season. The club is reportedly seeking a mutual termination. Meanwhile, at Al-Qadsiya, efforts to reinforce the squad ahead of the 2025–2026 season are in full swing. Head coach Nabil Maaloul is currently reviewing several foreign players being offered by agents, with a strong focus on midfield and attacking reinforcements. Algerian midfielder Ghilas Guenaoui, born in 1998, has emerged as a top target. He previously played for ES Sétif in Algeria and Port Said in Egypt and is known for his versatility and playmaking ability. Guenaoui is the second Algerian player under consideration, alongside defender Ayoub Abdellaoui (32), who has experience with MC Alger, USM Alger, and Saudi Arabia's Al-Ettifaq. Additionally, former Tunisian international striker Haythem Jouini has been offered to the club. Al-Qadsiya is in rebuilding mode after parting ways with three foreign players: Moroccan Ismail Khafi, Nigerian Daniel Jibola, and Algerian Hussein Dahiri. The futures of Libyan winger Mohamed Soula and Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Berrahma—both still under contract—will be decided by Maaloul in the coming weeks. Preparations for the new season have already begun, with the squad set to begin training on the 16th of the month, followed by an overseas training camp. The Zain Premier League campaign kicks off on September 12. In a bid to strengthen its squad for the upcoming First Division season, Yarmouk Club has signed former Al-Salmiya player Othman Al-Dosari. The move comes as the club looks to bounce back after finishing last in the Zain Premier League.
Arab Times
16 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti figure skating team concludes successful training camp in Bergamo
BERGAMO, Italy, June 28: The Kuwaiti Figure Skating Team has wrapped up its participation in the third Regional Development Camp held in Bergamo, Italy. Organized by the Egyptian Figure Skating Federation under the supervision of the International Skating Union (ISU), the camp was supported in full by the Kuwait Winter Games Club. The event brought together 36 athletes from the national teams of Egypt, Greece, South Africa, and the UAE. Representing Kuwait were four skaters: Lara Al-Barrak, Sama Jarrah, Najat Al-Turki, and Ghala Al-Matar. Speaking about the experience, Lara Al-Barrak described the camp as a valuable opportunity to enhance their skills in figure skating. She noted that the team trained for five hours daily and also attended technical lectures focusing on the fundamentals needed to excel in the sport. Al-Barrak highlighted the high quality of training at the ISU's Ice Lab Center of Excellence, attributing the strong performance levels to the presence of experienced Olympic coaches. She praised both the practical and theoretical depth of the camp. She also emphasized the importance of such international events in developing the technical capabilities of Kuwaiti athletes and preparing them to represent the national 'Blue Figure' team in future global competitions. Al-Barrak concluded by thanking the Kuwait Winter Games Club, led by Fahid Al-Ajmi, for its continued support in promoting figure skating among girls in Kuwait. She also commended the efforts of both the Egyptian and International Federations for organizing a successful international training event.
