Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will not participate in this month’s FIFA Club World Cup, despite receiving offers from several participating teams.
The 40-year-old football icon, whose contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr expires at the end of June, made the announcement ahead of Portugal’s Nations League final against Spain on Sunday.
In May, FIFA president Gianni Infantino sparked speculation about Ronaldo potentially joining a Club World Cup team after Al-Nassr failed to qualify for the tournament. However, Ronaldo dismissed the idea, stating, “I will not be at the Club World Cup. Some teams reached out to me. Some made sense, others did not, but you can’t try and do everything. You can’t catch every ball.”
Ronaldo’s future has been the subject of intense speculation since he posted on social media that “the chapter is over” following Al-Nassr’s final league match of the season in May.
The cryptic message fueled rumors of a potential move, but sources close to Al-Nassr told sources that the club remains confident of extending the striker’s contract. Speaking to reporters, Ronaldo hinted that a decision on his future is “almost final,” though he offered no further details.
Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023 after parting ways with Manchester United, Ronaldo has been prolific, scoring an impressive 99 goals in 111 appearances, including 35 goals in 41 matches last season.
His form remains sharp on the international stage as well, with the veteran forward netting the decisive goal in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Germany on Wednesday, securing their place in the Nations League final.
As one of football’s greatest-ever players, Ronaldo’s next move will be closely watched. For now, his focus remains on leading Portugal to glory in the Nations League, with fans and pundits alike eagerly awaiting clarity on his club career.