Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he will not participate in this year’s Club World Cup, despite receiving multiple offers from competing teams.
The 40-year-old’s contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr expires at the end of June.
In May, Fifa president Gianni Infantino hinted at the possibility of Ronaldo joining a team competing in the Club World Cup after Al-Nassr failed to qualify but the former Manchester United forward has different plans.
“I won’t be at the Club World Cup,” Ronaldo stated. “Some teams approached me, with some offers being more sensible than others, but it’s impossible to pursue every opportunity. You can’t catch every ball.”
Ronaldo posted on social media that “the chapter is over” following Al-Nassr’s final league game of the season in May, sparking speculation about his potential move.
Ahead of Portugal’s Nations League final against Spain on Sunday, Ronaldo mentioned that a decision on his future is “almost final”.
The striker joined Al-Nassr in 2023 after his Manchester United contract was terminated.
He has netted 99 goals and provided 19 assists in 111 appearances for the club, including 35 times in 41 matches last season but could not win any silverware with the Arabian club.
The revamped FIFA Club World Cup is just around the corner.
Kicking off on June 14, the newly expanded tournament will feature 32 of the world’s top soccer clubs competing over a month-long spectacle across the United States.
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most successful players in the history of the FIFA Club World Cup, having won the tournament four times.
He’s also the competition’s all-time leading scorer, with seven goals in just eight appearances.
However, with his absence in the competition, that goalscoring record is under serious threat this year. With the tournament expanding from seven teams to 32, there will be significantly more matches—and therefore more opportunities for players to rack up goals and potentially surpass Ronaldo’s tally.
