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Sports Desk, June 7, 2025 : Cristiano Ronaldo, at the age of 40, continues to dominate headlines but has put an end to speculation about his participation in the upcoming Club World Cup. The Portuguese superstar confirmed he will not feature in the 32-team tournament set to take place in the United States, despite interest from multiple clubs.
Rumors had circulated that FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally wanted Ronaldo to compete, even though his current club, Al Nassr, did not qualify for the event. Adding fuel to the speculation, Al Nassr’s sporting director, Fernando Hierro, recently acknowledged ongoing discussions about a new contract with Ronaldo, while other clubs have also expressed interest in signing him.
Following Al Nassr’s final match of the season against Al Fateh, Ronaldo sparked further intrigue with a cryptic social media post: “This chapter is over. But the story? Still being written.” However, on Saturday, he clarified his stance, stating he is not focused on the Club World Cup. Speaking to journalists, Ronaldo said, “Right now, talking about anything other than the national team makes no sense. Clubs have reached out, some offers are reasonable, some aren’t. But you can’t go everywhere. For now, short-, medium-, and long-term plans are what matter. I’ve almost decided against playing in the Club World Cup.”
Currently, Ronaldo is with the Portugal national team for the UEFA Nations League. He scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Germany last Wednesday, setting up a final against Spain on Sunday. While many view the match as a clash between Ronaldo and Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal, the veteran dismissed the narrative. “It’s always like this—when it’s a big match, they say it’s Ronaldo versus someone. I’m used to it; I’ve been hearing it for 20 years. It doesn’t keep me up at night anymore. On one side, there’s a new generation; on the other, a player like me nearing the end. But it’s always about one team against another.”
Ronaldo emphasized his focus on Portugal’s performance, adding, “I just want Portugal to play well, step onto the pitch with confidence, and beat one of the world’s best teams like Spain.”
While Ronaldo’s future remains uncertain, his decision to skip the Club World Cup signals that one chapter of his illustrious career may be nearing its conclusion.
AI/MR
