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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Portugal and Germany at the Munich Football Arena, in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday ruled out the possibility of taking part in the upcoming Club World Cup with the 40-year-old saying that ‘it’s almost decided’. Last month, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had said that there were discussions on Ronaldo playing 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,” he had said.
But the Portuguese superstar, set to play Spain in the Nations League final on Sunday, appeared to put all speculations to rest.
“It’s almost decided that I will not take part at the FIFA Club World Cup, despite receiving many invitations and proposals. There have been talks, contacts…but you have to think about short, medium and long-term,” Ronaldo said on Saturday in a press conference as per Goal.com
Last week, Ronaldo had hinted about his Al-Nassr exit after the team’s defeat in the Saudi Premier League (SPL) 2024-25 season-ending match to Al-Fateh.
Despite notching up his record 800th club goal of his career, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could not prevent a 2-3 loss for his side, ending hopes of their Asian Champions League Elite qualification. With 70 points, Al Nassr finished third on the SPL standings, 13 behind league winners Al-Ittihad and five behind second-placed Al-Hilal.
Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi side in 2022 after his second stint with Manchester United, has his contract with the club run out this summer. “This chapter is over,” Ronaldo wrote on social media after the loss. “The story? Still being written. Grateful to all,” the former Real Madrid and Juventus forward added.
Despite Al-Nassr’s underwhelming finish, Ronaldo topped the Golden Boot race in the SPL with 24 goals, with his overall tally sitting at 99 goals in 111 appearances for the team.
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But with reports of a new contract being offered to him by the Saudi club might have changed things.
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