Portugal and Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo was not involved with the club World Cup 2025, but the veteran received a number of offers to participate in the tournament
Cristiano Ronaldo claims that he has rejected offers from Club World Cup participants to ensure that he is in solid form for a long domestic and international season. Instead, the veteran has extended his Al-Nassr contract and will stay in the Saudi Pro League before he leads Portugal to Glorie during the World Cup 2026.
Former Manchester United star Ronaldo became the best paid player in the world when he ended his second Old Trafford spell and moved to Riyad. He is ready as the top scorer in the Saudi top flight in each of his two full seasons, but still has to win a competition or AFC Champions League title.
River plate was one of the interested parties that failed with a Ronaldo approach. “In mid -March, informally, through a common friend, I said to him:” Hey, I have a club world cup, for a player like you who defined an era … Did you not intend to play in it? “”, Manager Marcelo Gallardo told ESPN.
“He not only felt recognized, but he evaluated it, thought about it, but then replied:” I have to prepare for the following season “.” Gallardo added. And Ronaldo's comments about expanding his Al-Nassr residence are therefore consistent.
Fluminense also investigated a movement, only to be hit back, and Ronaldo has thrown more light on the situation. “I had a number of offers to play (club) world cup, but I think it was not logical because I would rather have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long, because this is the world cup season at the end,” the 40-year-old told Al-Nassr TV.
Although he is not involved in this year's 32 team Club World Cup, he previously represented both United and Real Madrid in the competition before the expansion. He is a four -time winner – once with United in 2008 and three times with Madrid in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
He made important contributions in that final of 2016 and 2017 when Madrid returned to behind. A hat trick in 2016 helped the Spanish club to overcome Kashima Antlers after extra time, while the next year he scored the only goal of the game in a victory over Gremio.
Ronaldo scored his 138th international goal in June and helped Portugal to secure a 1-1 draw with Spain in the UEFA Nations League final before he won on Penalties. He also scored in the semi -final victory over Germany and the second stage of the quarterfinals triumph against Denmark in March.
Portugal has yet to start with their world cup qualifying campaign because of the responsibilities of the Nations League, but will start things from road to Armenia in September. Hungary and Ireland are the other teams in their group, with the winners who automatically qualify and second place in the play-offs.