Nigerian music icon Davido had fans in stitches on social media during the thrilling Champions League semi-final clash between Inter and Barcelona on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, as he shared a comical tale of his most painful football heartbreak—courtesy of none other than Harry Maguire.
As the tension in the game soared, Davido tweeted, “Football ehn fit give person BP … I remember when CR7 personally invite me come watch match for Old Trafford then couple years ago … He don book dinner ALL! Party chillin etc …. Nah so dem go lose match .. BABA VEX GO HOUSE .. since that day I still never forgive Maguire.”
Football ehn fit give person BP … I remember when CR7 personally invite me come watch match for Old trafford then couple years ago … He don book dinner ALL! Party chillin etc …. Nah so dem go lose match .. BABA VEX GO HOUSE .. since that day I still never forgive Maguire 😂😂
Afrobeats sensation Davido recounted a humorous yet disappointing experience after being personally invited by Cristiano Ronaldo to watch a Manchester United game at Old Trafford.
The evening was meant to be a memorable one, with plans for a celebratory night out, including dinner and partying after the match.
However, things quickly took a turn when United lost the game—putting a damper on the festive mood. Ronaldo, visibly upset, left immediately after the match without saying much, abruptly ending all post-game plans.
Davido, poking fun at the situation, said he’s still not over it—not because of Ronaldo, but because of Harry Maguire, whom he jokingly blames for ruining the night.
Cristiano Ronaldo and the Al-Nassr team took a break from training to celebrateSadio Mané’s 33rd birthday in style.
A heartwarming video shared online by shows the players creating a joyful moment in the dressing room. Ronaldo led the celebration, clapping in rhythm as the team sang a lively birthday song for Mané.
The mood was light and full of team spirit, with Mané beaming throughout the tribute.
After the song, the Senegalese star thanked his teammates for their kind gesture.
Known for his down-to-earth nature, the former Liverpool forward kept his response simple and sincere.
"We have to keep fighting. We can do better, and together we can go for silverware," he urged, signalling his intent to inspire a strong finish to the campaign.
Sadio Mane’s performance this season
On the field, Mane’s performances have fluctuated, yet his overall impact remains noteworthy.
In 25 league appearances, he’s tallied seven goals and nine assists—solid numbers for a winger still adjusting to a new environment. Sadio Mane has bagged five assists in his last five matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal and missed a penalty as Portugal defeated Denmark in an exciting match to qualify for the Nations League semi-finals.
The game ended 3-3 on aggregate in regular time, forcing extra time. Just seconds into the extra period, Francisco Trincão put Portugal ahead after Kasper Schmeichel saved a shot from Gonçalo Ramos. Ramos later sealed the win with another goal five minutes before the final whistle.
The match was full of drama from the start. Denmark’s Patrick Dorgu fouled Ronaldo in the penalty area, giving Portugal an early chance to score.
However, Schmeichel made a great save to deny Ronaldo. Despite this, Portugal kept pushing and took the lead seven minutes before halftime when Denmark’s Joachim Andersen accidentally headed Bruno Fernandes’ corner into his own net.
Ronaldo had a goal ruled out for offside just before halftime, and Denmark equalized through Rasmus Kristensen’s header, putting them back in control of the tie.
In the second half, Ronaldo put Portugal ahead again in the 72nd minute, scoring from close range after Fernandes’ shot was saved. But Denmark quickly responded, with Christian Eriksen finishing a cross from Dorgu just four minutes later.
With only four minutes left in regular time, Trincão scored with a powerful shot to make it 3-2, forcing extra time. Early in extra time, he struck again, extending Portugal’s lead. Later, Ramos finished off a pass from Diogo Jota to secure a 5-3 win for Portugal on aggregate.
Before the match, Bernardo Silva was honored for earning his 100th cap for Portugal.
Portugal will now face Germany in the semi-finals after Julian Nagelsmann’s side beat Italy 5-4 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Denmark will shift their focus to their World Cup qualifying matches, starting with a game against Scotland.
Rasmus Højlund has clarified that he did not mean to disrespect Cristiano Ronaldo when he performed the Portuguese star’s famous ‘Siu’ celebration after scoring Denmark’s winning goal against Portugal on Thursday in Copenhagen.
Højlund, who came on as a substitute, netted the decisive goal in the 78th minute to secure a 1-0 victory for Denmark in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal.
After scoring, the Manchester United forward ran to the corner and copied Ronaldo’s well-known celebration, while the Portuguese legend watched from the field.
“It’s for my idol,” Højlund told Danish broadcaster TV2 after the game. “It wasn’t to mock him or anything. He’s had such a huge impact on me and my football career. Maybe it’s a bit ambivalent, but to score against him and Portugal, it’s huge.
“I remember him scoring from a free kick in 2011 when I went to watch the match, and since then I’ve been a huge Cristiano fan.”
Højlund has struggled to score for Manchester United this season, the same club where Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008.
Denmark had an early chance to take the lead when Christian Eriksen stepped up for a penalty in the 24th minute. However, Portugal’s goalkeeper, Diogo Costa, guessed correctly and dived to his right to block the shot. Before this, Eriksen had successfully converted 12 penalties for Denmark and had not missed one since 2016.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo made his 218th international appearance, extending his record. However, he was unable to add to his impressive tally of 135 international goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo recently shared a throwback photo of himself and his long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez, calling her “my one and only Valentine.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentine-Spanish model and entrepreneur have been together since 2016. They first met at a Gucci store in Madrid during Ronaldo’s record-breaking tenure with Real Madrid.
The couple shares two children, and Georgina has taken on the role of stepmother to Ronaldo’s three other children. Currently, they reside in the Middle East, where Ronaldo plays for Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr.
Over the years, there has been much speculation about the couple’s marital status, but neither has officially confirmed if they are married. For now, Ronaldo and Rodriguez prefer to keep the details of their relationship private.
Ronaldo has once again aired his love forRodriguez on social media,with the Portugal international stating on February 14 that Georgina is “my one and only Valentine”. He has also shared a picture of them together from their early days in Spain.
Ghanaian barber Kelvin Akomeah Boafo, known by the nickname “Legacy The Barber,” recently shared an interesting encounter with Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
He revealed that he had the opportunity to give Ronaldo a haircut, but was unable to document the moment on camera.
Unlike the times he has been allowed to record his sessions with Ronaldo’s son, Legacy explained that the superstar from Al Nassr chose not to have the moment filmed, citing privacy concerns.
In light of this, Legacy expressed his ultimate aspiration: to become Cristiano Ronaldo’s personal barber.
How I Got The Chance To Shave Cristiano Ronaldo And Became His Son's Personal Barber – Ghana's Legacy the barber Tells First Time Entering CR7's Mansion In Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/uiqhkmD6P2
“I have shaved Ronaldo before, but because of privacy, I couldn’t make a video. So I told him, ‘Okay, the only thing I need is to be part of the family as your personal barber,’” he told Zion Felix TV on YouTube.
“If I have been accepted by the kid and I’m getting closer to the father, I’m okay.”
Since then, Legacy The Barber has become the go-to hairstylist for Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., regularly giving him stylish trims that set him apart from other kids.
This connection with the son of a global football legend has opened doors for Legacy, including exclusive visits to Ronaldo’s luxurious mansion in Dubai and a significant boost to his social media presence.
In various posts shared online,Cristiano Jr. can be seen showing his support for Legacy The Barber, further solidifying their bond.
Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Real Madrid to “take care” ofKylian Mbappéand emphasized that the young forward should “chart his own path” as he strives to establish himself as a legend at the Bernabéu.
Mbappé has already netted 22 goals in his first season with Madrid, despite facing early criticism for his form.
Ronaldo, the club’s all-time top scorer with 451 goals, revealed that Mbappé had always looked up to him as a child. The two had a memorable moment when they took a photo together after Mbappé’s trial at the club as a teenager.
“Look after the lad,” Ronaldo urged, in an extract from an interview with Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, due to be broadcast in full on Monday. “The fans need to look after him. He’s very good. The club have to help to protect him, I have no doubt he’ll bring a lot of joy to Madrid fans.
Cristiano Ronaldo was Kylian Mbappé’s childhood hero growing up
“I love [Mbappé], not just because of his story as a kid, how he loved Cristiano, I was his idol,” Ronaldo said. “I think he’s a top player.”
Ronaldo revealed he now tunes in to watch Real Madrid’s games because his son, Mateo, is a fan of Mbappé.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he feels Mbappé still needs some help in adjusting to his role in the Real Madrid team.
“It’s complicated, because he doesn’t know how to play as a forward in my opinion — or rather, it’s not that he doesn’t know, but it isn’t his position,” Ronaldo said. “If I was at Madrid, I’d show him how to play as a number nine.
“I wasn’t a forward. I got used to it, but I was a winger. People forget that. I was a forward, but not a typical forward. I think [Mbappé] shouldn’t be a typical forward, he should do things his way.”
Mbappé has already won two trophies with Madrid, the UEFA Super Cup and theFIFA Intercontinental Cup, and scored as Madrid were humbled 5-2 by Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa last month.
Madrid now face a testing few weeks, playing Leganés in a Copa del Rey quarterfinal before a Madrid Derby with Atlético Madrid on Saturday and then facing Manchester City in their Champions League knockout stage playoff.
Cristiano Ronaldohas expressed his belief that Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal will emerge as “the best player of this new generation.” The five-time Ballon d’Or recipient noted that he has been highly impressed with the 17-year-old’s performances to date.
“He’s got a huge potential,” Ronaldo told Rio Ferdinand in his Youtube channel. “I see a lot of talent. But let’s see during his journey what’s going to happen.
“But I think he’ll make it. He will be the best player of this new generation.”
Yamal, who scored Barcelona’s lone goal in their 2-1 Champions League defeat to Monaco on Thursday, has broken numerous records since making his debut.
At just 16, he became the youngest goal scorer in La Liga history and the youngest player to appear in a European Championship.
His standout performances helped Spain secure the 2024 Euros title, earning him the Young Player of the Tournament award.
Girona manager Míchel Sánchez, after watching Yamal’s performance in the Catalan derby on Sunday, remarked that he believes the young star has the potential to reach the level of Lionel Messi.
However, Yamal insists he wants to be his own player even though he is honoured to be compared to Barca legend Messi, “the greatest player in the history of football.”
Ronaldo said he believes Yamal is in the right place to do great things.
“He needs luck because he is very young,” Ronaldo said. “I hope he doesn’t have any problems [injuries]. He is in a context that helps him a lot. Spain’s national team is really good.”
Since joining the Spanish giants in the summer of 2023, the England international has made a significant impact, netting 23 goals and providing 13 assists, playing a key role in helping Los Blancos secure both La Liga and the Champions League titles.
Bellingham’s exceptional debut season at the Bernabéu earned him the title of La Liga’s best player.
“I think he is going to be one of the best players of this new generation,” Ronaldo said of Bellingham. “It’s the same [as Yamal], great talent, huge potential.
“You go to a club where the environment is clean, that it’s good, and you grow like the others, like [Madrid players] Camavinga, Rodrygo, like Vinícius. I think he [Bellingham] is in a team that will help him become a top player.”
Al Nassr CEO Guido Fienga has clarified that while Cristiano Ronaldo is a key figure in the team, he does not control the club’s operations.
Fienga’s remarks address speculation that Ronaldo has significant influence over both on- and off-field decisions at the Saudi club.
These comments come in the wake of Al Nassr’s decision to part ways with Portuguese coach Luis Castro, who was dismissed after securing only one win in three league matches.
The club has since appointed Italian manager Stefano Pioli as his replacement.
At a club event on Wednesday, Fienga said: “Cristiano Ronaldo is our captain, and he is the strongest player in the world, not just technically but how he behaves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWVZOehbQFc
“Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t control the club, but obviously, being the No. 1 in the world, he gives the direction of where we have to go and which are the targets we have to reach. He is a winner, and we ask him to teach us how to win.”
Since joining Al Nassr from Manchester United in December 2022, 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo has secured only one title, the Arab Club Champions Cup.
Despite his illustrious career as a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo’s time at the Saudi club has seen mixed success, though he has impressively scored 62 goals.
Ronaldo’s deep desire for more silverware was evident in his emotional reaction after Al Nassr’s defeat to Al Hilal in the King’s Cup final in May, a loss that left the team without any major trophies for the season.
“He is a winner and we ask him to teach us how to win,” Fienga said of the former Real Madrid star.
“We want to win with him this year and reach the best target that we can. Cristiano is part of the team and we are very happy to have him in our team.”
Ronaldo missed Al Nassr’s 1-1 draw with Al Shorta in the revamped Asian Champions Leagueon Monday with illness, in what turned out to be Castro’s last game in charge.
“Step by step, we will improve,” Fienga said
“This summer, don’t forget we invested almost $100 million in new players. I believe we did a good job in order to reinforce the club with some good players that we needed… we need to work and give stability to the club to work and to produce the value and not destroy the value every six months.”
Stefano Pioli, the 58-year-old Italian manager, has been appointed as the new head coach of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, following Luis Castro’s departure.
The announcement was made by the club.
Pioli, who departed AC Milan after last season, had guided them to a second-place finish in Serie A but fell short against Inter Milan, finishing 19 points behind.
Since leaving Milan, where he spent a significant part of his career, Pioli has been without a coaching role.
Now, he is set to lead Al Nassr, currently positioned seventh in the Pro League after three matches with one win and two draws.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has shrugged off the latest criticism fromCristiano Ronaldo, maintaining that external opinions don’t affect him or the club.
Ronaldo, during a podcast interview with former United teammate Rio Ferdinand, took issue with Ten Hag’s comments from a pre-season interview in the Netherlands.
The United boss had remarked that the club was “a long way away” from reclaiming the Premier League title, which they last won in 2013.
While Ronaldo agreed that United were not in a position to challenge for the title, he believed that as manager, Ten Hag’s message lacked the right tone.
When asked about Ronaldo’s remarks ahead of Manchester United’s upcoming match against Southampton, Ten Hag appeared unfazed, noting that Ronaldo had essentially echoed the same sentiment.
“No, he said this, if you read the article very well,” said Ten Hag.
“He is entitled to his opinion. It’s OK. He is far away in Saudi Arabia, far away from Manchester.”
After back-to-back losses against Brighton and Liverpool,Manchester United now face Southampton, fully aware that another defeat would mark their worst start to a season since 1986-87, when Ron Atkinson was dismissed and Sir Alex Ferguson took the reins.
Erik ten Hag provided updates ahead of the crucial fixture, confirming that full-back Luke Shaw remains sidelined.
Shaw, despite featuring three times for England in Euro 2024, has yet to play for United this season.
Additionally, striker Rasmus Hojlund is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during United’s pre-season tour of the United States, ruling him out of action once again.
However, new signing Manuel Ugarte is available for selection.
The £50.2 million Uruguayan midfielder returned from international duty on Thursday and is ready to join the squad.
As Ten Hag prepares for the game, speculation around his future continues to swirl following United’s poor start. Some observers doubt the Dutchman will last the full season, particularly with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s increasing influence at the club.
Despite the growing scrutiny,Ten Hag remains unfazed,stating that the external “noise” doesn’t affect him, having recently returned from leading a charity match with his former club FC Utrecht. The manager is focused solely on getting United back on track.
Rio Ferdinand hasshared a humorous anecdote about his former wife, a former TOWIE star, who was extremely upset with him after he took a late-night call from Cristiano Ronaldo.
The call came in at 1 a.m. in connection with Manchester United.
In the summer of 2021, Ronaldo, who was contemplating his future at Juventus, was reportedly considering a return to Manchester.
Although there was speculation about him joining Manchester City, a move that would have seen him reunite with Pep Guardiola, the deal did not materialise.
Manchester United, where Ronaldo initially made his name, refused to let their rival club sign him.
Instead, Ronaldo rejoined Manchester United, only to leave less than 18 months later following a disagreement with Dutch coach Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo was subsequently released as a free agent.
Former United teammate Ferdinand has been discussing a sensational retracing of steps to English football with Ronaldo, saying on the Portuguese’s YouTube channel: “We spoke on the phone when you were going to go and sign at Manchester United, when you were negotiating to come back, and my wife wanted to kill me!
It was 1 o’clock in the morning, and you rang me: ‘Rio, what’s going on? Can we sort this out?’ You ended up signing for United.
Initially, that must have been a beautiful thing for you because I remember on the phone you sounded so happy. Then obviously, it went a bit sour.”
Ronaldo responded by saying: “I don’t need to prove if I’m right or wrong; it is not my issue any more. I say what I have to say.
For me it is done. But to be honest, what I wish for Manchester is what I wish for me—the best—that they can make the best team they can. I love that club. I’m not that kind of guy that forgot the past.”
Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the first of his Golden Balls during a memorable first stint with United.
His reputation in the eyes of United supporters was tarnished somewhat by his acrimonious departure the second time around, but he will forever be remembered as another iconic No.7 at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.
There has been a lot of changes at Man United in recent months since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and former Red Devils hero Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he is “happy” to see changes are being made at the Premier League club.
The Portuguese star is a legend at the Manchester club having had two spells with the team, with the first going down having some of the best football the Old Trafford crowd has seen from an individual player.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made 346 appearances for United, scoring 145 goals and assisting a further 64.
Ronaldo won everything in Manchester, and the club undoubtedly has a special place in his heart; however, the forward left the Premier League giants on a sour note after a falling out with current boss Erik ten Hag.
The 39-year-old has admitted on Rio Ferdinand’s Five Podcast that he is “not happy” with how things ended but is aware that he can’t control the past.
The Al-Nassr star said via Fabrizio Romano: “I’m not happy the way it all happened, but in the same way, we cannot control some points of our life sometimes, but it’s done, already done.”
One thing Ronaldo has been happy about is that change is occurring at Manchester United following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, withManchester Unitedbringing in some top personnel such as Dan Ashworth and Omar Barrada.
Speaking about the changes that have occurred and continue to be made at Man United, Ronaldo has admitted that he is “happy” with this aspect of the club at present and understands that it will take time for the Manchester outfit to rebuild back to the top.
“Man United need time to rebuild because it’s still one of the best clubs in the world, but they need to change,” the superstar told Five. “They understand that. This is the only way.
“This is why they show, they start to change again, the structure of the club, the president, the infrastructures and everything.
“The owners of the club are investing in the training ground. I’m happy because things are changing.”
Ronaldo, who made a highly anticipated return to Manchester United in the summer of 2021, enjoyed a strong first season back at Old Trafford.
However, his second season was marred by a series of underwhelming performances, leading manager Erik ten Hag to bench the veteran striker.
Frustrated with his reduced role, Ronaldo publicly criticised both the club and Ten Hag in a controversial interview, which ultimately resulted in the termination of his contract.
Now, as he reflects on his future with Portugal, Ronaldo has taken another opportunity to express his discontent with his former club.
Speaking to A Bola, Ronaldo responded to questions about whether he’s ready to represent the national team as a substitute: “In my mind, I’ll always be a starter. That’s what you think. Until the end of my career, I’ll always think that I’ll be a starter.
“I’ll always respect the decisions, not just of the coach, but at the clubs I’ve played for, I’ve always respected them… once or twice, they’ve also behaved badly towards me (laughs). But seriously, whenever there’s professional ethics, I’ll always respect the coaches’ decisions.
“When professional ethics are not respected, there can always be controversy, but that is separate.
What I feel at the moment, and the coach’s words also demonstrate this, is that I continue to be an asset to the national team, and I will be the first to admit it. If that does not happen, if I am not an asset, I will be the first to leave.
“But if I leave, I will go with a clear conscience, as always, because I know who I am, what I can do, what I do and what I will continue to do.
I see the present in a very positive way because for me the most important thing is to face each moment, each cycle, and the cycle is good; I feel happy.”
Ronaldo has received a lot of flak for his role in Portugal’s underperformance in both Euro 2024 and World Cup 2022.
The former Real Madrid star was pushed off to the bench in Qatar by Fernando Santos; however, the head coach was replaced by Roberto Martinez, who has stuck with Ronaldo in the national team despite his struggles on the field.
Ronaldo failed to score a single goal in Germany earlier this year, but Martinez has revealed that the 38-year-old will remain a starter for the future.
The 39-year-old forward will now join the Portuguese national team squad for their Nations League clashes against Croatia and Scotland before he returns to Saudi Arabia.
Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldohas sparked a backlash from Brazilians on social media following his comments about Brazil’s football legend Pelé and his record of 1,000 career goals.
In a recent conversation with former teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo revealed that his goal is to score 900 career goals, with the ambition of reaching 1,000 if he surpasses the 900-goal mark.
He emphasised that, unlike previous players who have claimed to reach the 1,000-goal milestone, he intends to have video evidence to substantiate his achievement.
Ronaldo’s remarks have been interpreted by many as a subtle jab at Pelé’s legendary record, leading to a wave of criticism from fans in Brazil.
“The best mark that I reach is first reaching 900 goals. After, my challenge is to reach 1000 goals with one difference: all the goals I have scored have videos. So I can prove that I have scored 1000 goals,” he said on his YouTube channel UR Cristiano.
“I respect all of them, but there are videos of my goals, and if you have a problem, I can bring videos from training too. And I will prove to the people. After they prefer this or that player as the best, I don’t care about that.”
Pelé remains the only footballer officially recognised for scoring 1,000 career goals, making Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent comments a point of contention among Brazilian fans.
Ronaldo’s remarks, made during a chat with former teammate Rio Ferdinand, seemed to suggest a challenge to this historic milestone.
Many in Brazil have taken offence, interpreting Ronaldo’s statements as dismissive of Pelé’s achievement.
Some critics argue that his comments were unnecessary and have fuelled animosity towards him.
However, Ronaldo’s supporters contend that his remarks were meant to be taken with a sense of humour and sarcasm rather than as a direct challenge to Pelé’s legendary record.
Cristiano is always the first to complain about how the media hates him yet he throws shade like this towards greats of the past who achieved more than him.
Very hypocritical & childish - won’t say that I didn’t expect this from him as he’s made a career of degrading others. https://t.co/WwEwnFGlVs
— Solo (@Z9Priv_) August 28, 2024
Claiming Pelé didn’t score 1000+ goals because there isn’t video evidence is awful reasoning.
We have journalists reports, newspapers, eye witness accounts & radio commentary of them all. All verified through multiple sources.
— All Things Brazil™ 🇧🇷 (@SelecaoTalk) August 28, 2024
Theres footage of Pelé winning 3 World Cups if Cristiano Ronaldo wants to see it 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/kNKRVH6kjG
— Ginga Bonito 🇧🇷 (@GingaBonitoHub) August 28, 2024
This is why Messi will always be respected & more loved than Cristiano Ronaldo.
He’s not insecure. He doesn’t need to diminish the achievements of other all-time greats to stand out. pic.twitter.com/mPz8wVjVtD
— Ginga Bonito 🇧🇷 (@GingaBonitoHub) August 28, 2024
Tears man
The only thing keeping this cry baby relevant is his YouTube channel pic.twitter.com/Y1fyWzUR5v
— Marcus (@Mheracle3) August 28, 2024
The official Brasileirão account fires back at Cristiano Ronaldo who mocked Pelé & other older legends of the game for not having all their goals on video.
“🎶 Only Pelé, only Pelé
📹 On video!”
This is a video of when he officially scored his 1000th goal. https://t.co/7m1fmtSufa
— Ginga Bonito 🇧🇷 (@GingaBonitoHub) August 28, 2024
Sem polêmica.
Sem indireta.
Sem egocentrismo.
Sem desmerecer ninguém.
A diferença é muito clara: de um lado, o frustrado que vive fazendo marketing pessoal para se autoafirmar. Do outro, quem sempre preferiu falar com a bola nos pés.
Abismo como jogador.
Abismo como ser humano. https://t.co/QS31Gy7Q6e pic.twitter.com/ECWJiaFrTY
Cristiano Ronaldo isreportedly earning double that of Neymar as Saudi Pro League’s top 10 salaries have been revealed ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly earning twice as much as Neymar, as the top 10 salaries in the Saudi Pro League have been disclosed for the 2024-25 season.
Capology reports that Ronaldo tops the list with an annual salary of €200 million.
This is double the earnings of Neymar and Karim Benzema, who each make €100 million. Following them is former Manchester City player Riyad Mahrez, earning €52.5 million.
TOP 10 EARNERS OF THE SAUDI PRO LEAGUE Rank Player Wages 1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) €200m (£168m/$217m) 2 Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) €100m (£84m/$108m) 3 Neymar (Al Hilal) €100m (£84m/$91m) 4 Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) €52.5m (£44m/$57m) 5 Sadio Mane (Al Nassr) €40m (£34m/$43m) 6 Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal) €34.7m (£29m/$38m) 7 Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al Hilal) €25m (£84m/$27m) 8 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al Hilal) €25m (£21m/$27m) 9 N’Golo Kante (Al Ittihad) €25m (£21m/$27m) 10 Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr) €24.5m (£21m/$27m)
The hefty salaries of these players highlight the Saudi Pro League’s ambition to become a leading destination for top football talent.
As the 2024-25 season begins, several other stars, including Casemiro, Ederson, Alisson Becker, and Kevin De Bruyne, are being linked to Saudi Arabia.
Neymar managed only five appearances for Al-Hilal in the 2023-24 season due to a severe ACL injury, earning an astounding €20 million per match.
However, as he nears a return,Neymar is eager to meet expectations and assist his team in defending the league title.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez emphasized that no final decisions have been made regarding the international futures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe following their Euro 2024 quarter-final loss to France.
Despite their emotional embrace on the pitch after the match, Martinez stated that any decisions about their roles with the national team will be considered after the team has had time to recover from the disappointment of their defeat.
Both players have been a regular feature in the Portugal side throughout the tournament, with 39-year-old Ronaldo playing every minute of both the shootout win over Slovenia in the last 16 and the defeat on penalties by France in the quarter-finals.
Pepe made history at the tournament, becoming the oldest player in European Championship history aged 41.
“His tears are frustration,” said Martinez. “Pepe is a role model in Portuguese football. What he did tonight and in the tournament will stay with us for the next generations.”
When asked whether the two players had just featured for Portugal for the final time, Martinez answered: “No. Everything is too raw. We are still suffering the defeat.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, currently participating in the European Championship, had a dramatic recent match. He missed a stoppage-time penalty in a last-16 clash with Slovenia, leaving him in tears, but later converted in a tense shootout.
Ronaldo is collaborating with fitness company WHOOP, which has released data from wearable devices monitoring his heart rate, athletic performance, and sleep score.
According to the data, Ronaldo “entered a flow state and dropped his heart rate” when taking the first penalty for Portugal, with his heart rate spiking to 180 bpm when Bernardo Silva scored the decisive spot-kick.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VWazEQyuwnY
Ricardo Fort, former global sponsorship head at Visa and Coca-Cola, alleges that Ronaldo has violated UEFA regulations.
He posted on social media: “Cristiano and WHOOP is ambush marketing to Euro 2024. It is illegal and both the player and the company should be fined.”
He added: “The post is about a UEFA matches, uses the names of the two national teams playing, score, and a player on the field. They are implying an association with the event and that is illegal. Not having ‘a competitor as a sponsor’ isn’t a reason to tolerate infringements.”
If the data had been collected during home workouts, there would be no issue.UEFA has previously acted against “ambush marketing,” as seen when former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner received an £80,000 fine and a one-game ban for revealing Paddy Power-branded underpants after scoring for Denmark at Euro 2012.
As Euro 2024 progresses, the presence ofyellow cards threatens key players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe with potential suspensions.
Maintaining discipline is pivotal in football tournaments, ensuring top athletes remain available throughout. Yet, amidst the physical demands and trials of new rules limiting referee interactions to captains, yellow and occasional red cards are inevitable.
Here’s an overview of Euro 2024’s yellow card suspension regulations and the players potentially facing exclusion from the semi-finals.
At Euro 2024, the yellow card rules and suspensions are straightforward: A player receiving two yellow cards faces a one-match suspension.
However, it’s crucial to understand that yellow cards accumulated during the group stage, round of 16, and quarter-finals are reset before the semi-finals.
This means that players carrying yellow cards into the quarter-finals can relax once they advance, as these cautions won’t carry over. The only scenario where a player would miss the final is if they receive a red card in the semi-final.
Player Team Yellow cards Jude Bellingham England 1 Phil Foden England 1 Conor Gallagher England 1 Kobbie Mainoo England 1 Kieran Trippier England 1
England will miss Marc Guehi in the quarter-final against Switzerland due to his two yellow cards. Several other key players, including Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo, and Kieran Trippier, are also walking a disciplinary tightrope with yellow card cautions. Another booking in the quarter-final would see them suspended for the potential semi-final match.
Which France players are at risk of suspension?
Player Team Yellow cards Ousmane Dembele France 1 Antoine Griezmann France 1 Kylian Mbappe France 1 Aurelien Tchouameni France 1
Adrien Rabiot was ruled out of the quarter-final game against Portugal after picking up his second yellow of the tournament against Belgium in the last 16.
Captain Kylian Mbappe is carrying a yellow card into the quarter-final and will have to be careful not to get booked again or else he will be ruled out of the semi-final.
As well as Mbappe, Didier Deschamps will be mindful of the fact that Antoine Griezmann, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ousmane Dembele are all on yellow cards too.
Which Germany players are at risk of suspension? Player Team Yellow cards Robert Andrich Germany 1 Maximilian Mittelstadt Germany 1 Antonio Rudiger Germany 1 Having lost Jonathan Tah to suspension after he collected two yellow cards earlier in the tournament, the Germany players who are now at risk of missing out are: Antonio Rudiger, Robert Andrich and Maximilian Mittelstadt.
Which Netherlands players are at risk of suspension? Player Team Yellow cards Denzel Dumfries Netherlands 1 Donyell Malen Netherlands 1 Jerdy Schouten Netherlands 1 Denzel Dumfries is the key Dutch player who will have to be careful in the coming knockout game against Turkey, but Donyell Malen and Jerdy Schouten are also on yellow cards.
Which Portugal players are at risk of suspension? Player Team Yellow cards Joao Cancelo Portugal 1 Joao Conceicao Portugal 1 Pedro Neto Portugal 1 Ruben Neves Portugal 1 Joao Palhinha Portugal 1 Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 1 Of all the teams in the quarter-final,Portugal have the second highest number of players at risk of suspension, with six players carrying yellow cards into the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Palhinha, Joao Cancelo, Joao Conceicao, Pedro Neto and Ruben Neves are all at risk of missing out should they be booked.
Which Spain players are at risk of suspension? Player Team Yellow cards Dani Carvajal Spain 1 Robin Le Normand Spain 1 Alvaro Morata Spain 1 Daniel Vivian Spain 1 Spain have four players carrying yellow cards into the quarter-final. Team captain Alvaro Morata will have to tread carefully in the next game, as will defensive trio Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand and Daniel Vivian.
Which Switzerland players are at risk of suspension? Player Team Yellow cards Remo Freuler Switzerland 1 Dan Ndoye Switzerland 1 Ricardo Rodriguez Switzerland 1 Vincent Sierro Switzerland 1 Granit Xhaka Switzerland 1 Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has picked up one yellow card in the tournament, as have Ricardo Rodriguez, Remo Freuler, Dan Ndoye and Vincent Sierro. They will have to be mindful of their status when they face England.
Which Turkey players are at risk of suspension? Player Team Yellow cards Kaan Ayhan Turkey 1 Zeki Celik Turkey 1 Arda Guler Turkey 1 Mert Gunok Turkey 1 Mert Mulder Turkey 1 Salih Ozcan Turkey 1 Kenan Yildiz Turkey 1
Turkey enters the quarter-finals with a precarious disciplinary situation, as seven players are currently on yellow cards, and three have already been suspended.
Among those at risk are Arda Guler, Mert Gunok, and Kenan Yildiz, along with Kaan Ayhan, Zeki Celik, Mert Mulder, and Salih Ozcan.
Cristiano Ronaldoconfirmed that the European Championship in Germany will be “without a doubt” the last of his impressive career.
The 2024 Euros mark Ronaldo’s record-breaking sixth appearance in a European Championships.
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the European Championship in Germany will “without a doubt” be the final tournament of his illustrious career.
The 2024 Euros will be Ronaldo’s record-setting sixth appearance in the European Championships.
The following tournament, hosted by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, will take place in four years when Ronaldo will be 43 years old.
The next tournament will be hosted by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in four years, when Ronaldo will be 43.
“Without a doubt it’s the last Euro [for me], of course it is,” Ronaldo told Portugal TV’s RTP.
“But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people’s passion… it’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?”
Ronaldo, who made his debut with Portugal in 2003 and won the tournament 2016, is the men’s all-time leading scorer with 130 goals.
“The most important thing about the journey I’ve been on is the enthusiasm I still have for being here,” he said.
“It’s 20 years representing and playing with the national team, bringing joy to people, to the family, my children, that is what motivates me most.”
Ronaldo’s mental fortitude was tested on Monday when Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved his penalty shot in the 114th minute.
Portugal ultimately triumphed in the round-of-16 match, defeating Slovenia in a penalty shootout where Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved all three of Slovenia’s attempts.
The Al Nassr superstar was overcome with emotion as the game went to a penalty shootout and had to be consoled by his teammates.
“It’s football; those who fail are those who try, too,” Ronaldo said. “I will always do my best for this shirt, whether I fail or not.
“As you saw, I missed the penalty but I wanted to be the first to score [on the penalty shootout] because you have to take responsibility when the team has to.
You can’t be afraid, I’ve never been afraid to face things head on, sometimes I get it right, sometimes I don’t, but giving up is something you’ll never hear from my name.”
Ronaldo, who is the record goal scorer in the history of the competition with 14 goals, has yet to find the back of the net in Germany.
“Obviously it’s frustrating when we can’t score, but it’s football,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said.
“In the end, the result was positive was the most important thing.
“I lose twice this year on penalties [to Al Ain in a penalty shootout in the Asian Champions League quarterfinals and to Al Hilal in the King Cup of Champions final], and now I won.
“I think football sometimes has to be fair, and it was fair because I think Portugal deserved to win.”
Portugal will now face France in the quarterfinals on Friday.
“We will now have a difficult game against France, who are the favourites to win the competition along with Germany and Spain,” Ronaldo said.
“But we are going to war — this is football. The team is doing well, this [win against Slovenia] was a boost of energy that the team had, and we will fight until the end.“
Portugal’s star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, was overcome with emotion after missing a crucial penalty in their Round of 16 match against Slovakia in the 2024 Euros on July 1, 2024.
With the game still tied at 0-0, Portugal was awarded a penalty at the end of the first half of extra time.
Ronaldo stepped up but missed the shot, as Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak correctly guessed the direction and made the save.
During the halftime break of extra time, Ronaldo was visibly emotional, shedding tears as he received encouragement from his teammates in the dugout.
Players like Diogo Dalot played a key role in helping Ronaldo regain his focus.
Despite the missed penalty, Portugal eventually triumphed in the penalty shootout, defeating Slovakia 3-0. Ronaldo successfully converted the first penalty kick in the shootout.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa emerged as the hero of the night, making three crucial saves to secure Portugal’s victory.
Ronaldo always fights for them but this time they fought for him.
Cristiano Ronaldo has secured his spot in the Portugal squad for Euro 2024 “on merit,” according to head coach Roberto Martinez.
Ronaldo, set to become the first player to participate in six European Championships, was previously benched by former coach Fernando Santos during the 2022 World Cup, sparking speculation about his potential retirement from international football.
Since then, Ronaldo has moved from Europe to play for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. After netting 50 goals for Al Nassr last season, the 39-year-old has been selected for Euro 2024 in Germany. Martinez affirmed that Ronaldo’s selection is well-deserved.
“Cristiano is in the national team on merit,” Martinez told a news conference on Monday ahead of Portugal’s opening Group F game against Czechia. “Nobody gets into the national team by just having a name. Cristiano scored 50 goals in 51 games—consistent with his club in his league—and he scored nine goals in our qualification rounds.
“He’s a goal scorer and for us, he’s someone who can make that final move. He can stretch defences and open spaces. Over the years, he has changed his way of playing slightly, but I can only say that Cristiano is in the national team on merit and the numbers are there to back that up.”
Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain, is poised to start against Czechia in Leipzig after showcasing his fitness with a full 90-minute performance in the final warm-up game against Ireland.
He scored twice in a 3-0 victory, bringing his international goal tally to 130 in 207 appearances for the national team.
“He represents inspiration; he represents that everything is possible,” teammate Rúben Dias said of Ronaldo. “He represents that you can dream and you can achieve it. He represents a lot of things, but mainly, I would like to say that it’s a pleasure to have him with us.
“More than all these little things, his being with us in this moment of his career shows that he reallywants to win again. He’s our captain and we follow him until the end.”
Amid preparations for UEFA Euro 2024, Portugal’s National Football Team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, took a moment to wish his son, Cristiano Jr., a happy birthday.
The star’s firstborn turned 14 on June 17. In his post, CR7 wrote, “I can’t believe you’re already 14 years old, time flies. Congratulations, my partner! Dad loves you very much.”
Cristiano Jr., who plays for Al Nassr’s U-13 team, recently won a title with his team, prompting another proud message from his father.
Professionally, Ronaldo is gearing up for his second Euros title as Portugal faces Czechia on June 19.
Nem acredito que já tens 14 anos, o tempo voa. Parabéns, meu parceiro! O pai ama-te muito. 🎂 pic.twitter.com/RZZkDPCfEq
Portugal’s captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, affectionately refers to the national team as “the love of his life” and sees his continued presence in the squad at the age of 39 as “a gift.”
Ahead of his record-breaking sixth European Championship appearance, Ronaldo showcased his enduring prowess by netting twice in Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland, further extending his international men’s record goal tally to 130.
“I know I don’t have many years of football left,” Ronaldo said. “It’s a gift to play year after year, after 35. I’m 39 and every year is about enjoying myself. To score for the national team is special. The national team is the love of my life, winning the Euros would be a dream.”
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star has represented Portugal since 2003 and lifted the European Championship in 2016.
“For me, playing for the national team is a passion, a love,” he said. “Any game is special, a European Championship is special, it will be my sixth, which is also a record.
“Playing in 2004, when I made my [European Championship] debut, or playing today, the feeling is always one of pride and passion. It doesn’t get any better than this.”
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez recently described Ronaldo as “unique.”
Despite missing out on silverware this season, Ronaldo scored a Saudi Pro League record 35 goals for Al Nassr in his first full campaign at the club.
“The most important thing is that I am well physically and psychologically,” Ronaldo said. “I am prepared, I always prepare in the best way, I am 100% professional. I will be ready as always to help our country [at the Euros] and respect the coach’s decisions.”
Ronaldo was notably absent from Portugal’s starting lineup in their last two matches at the 2022 World Cup, including their quarterfinal loss to Morocco, a decision that reportedly did not sit well with the player, as stated by then coach Fernando Santos.
Under new management led by Martinez, Portugal has emerged as one of the top contenders for victory in Euro 2024.
Asked if they can replicate the feat of 2016, Ronaldo said, “The thought has to be that they should be positive and take it step by step. Dreaming is free and this team has the talent to dream. Nothing can be achieved without work; we have to work and fight.
“We need to take advantage of this generation of talent to do something beautiful at the European Championship. But I repeat again: talent is not enough. We have to work. We want to start the European Championship in the best possible way.”
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be a source of inspiration at Al-Nassr, with the Portuguese superstar sharing his expertise and teaching his teammates new skills.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who began his career as a dazzling winger at Sporting and Manchester United, evolved into one of the most prolific goalscorers in football history during his tenures at United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
At 39, he remains a formidable force in Saudi Arabia, continually breaking records.
Cristiano Ronaldo hastopped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time in his career, with Jon Rahm moving up to second place.
Ronaldo, who also led the list last year after joining Saudi Arabian football club Al Nassr, earned $260 million (£205 million) over the past 12 months, up from $136 million (£108.7 million), according to the business magazine.
Ronaldo’s longtime rival, Lionel Messi, has dropped to third place behind Rahm. The Spanish golfer climbed to second thanks to his move to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour, earning a reported $218 million (£172 million).
Footballers Neymar and Karim Benzema have also entered the top 10 following their transfers to the Saudi Pro League.
Basketball stars Giannis Antetokounmpo (fifth), LeBron James (fourth), and Stephen Curry (ninth) feature on the list, while American football quarterback Lamar Jackson holds the 10th spot.
Forbes reports that the world’s 10 highest-paid athletes collectively earned $1.38 billion (£1.06 billion) before taxes and agents’ fees over the past 12 months, marking the highesttotal ever recorded.
Reports suggest that Cristiano Ronaldois prepared to extend his contract with Al-Nassr, a move that would see him continue playing well into his 40s.
Despite nearing 40, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner shows no signs of slowing down, having scored an impressive 48 goals in 47 appearances this season alone. Since joining the Middle Eastern club, Ronaldo has amassed a total of 62 goals in 66 games across all competitions.
Ronaldo is set to reach the milestone of 40 years old in February 2025, with his current contract expiring next summer. He currently enjoys the most lucrative terms in world football, having joined Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr as a free agent following his departure from Premier League giants Manchester United.
Al-Nassr are understandably keen to keep Ronaldo’s ability and marketing appeal on their books as they look to make more big signings this summer, with Ben Jacobs telling talkSPORT: “2025 is a really key year in Saudi Arabia for two reasons.
One, because Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract expires, although my understanding is that he may renew for one year.
And two, the television rights are up for renewal and, as you can imagine, in Egypt with Mohamed Salah and Portugal with Ronaldo and/or Bruno Fernandes, there could well be big audiences and lucrative renewals to be had.
Depending on if Ronaldo stays, if Fernandes joins and if Salah arrives, and as a consequence, the next 12 months are all about planning who is going to resonate with the international audience. I am told that the Saudi dealmakers want another marquee star from Portugal because they have built up an audience through Ronaldo.
If Fernandes comes in 2025 or, potentially but less likely, 2024 then that is a continuation which means maybe you retain that audience and cash in on that audience when the renewal comes up in 12 months time.”
There are rumors circulating about Portuguese playmaker Fernandes potentially leaving Manchester United, with Bayern Munich also expressing interest in acquiring him.
Meanwhile, Egypt international Salah is nearing the end of his contract with Liverpool, raising the possibility that he may need to be sold during the upcoming transfer window.
Following Manchester United’s defeat to Chelsea on Thursday, April 4, 2024, legendary player Cristiano Ronaldo posted a cryptic message shortly after the match.
The post, shared on X (formerly Twitter), featured a picture of Ronaldo laughing at his phone with the caption ‘Happy days’.
The timing of Ronaldo’s post, coming right after Chelsea’s 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League, sparked fury among United fans, who perceived it as a veiled dig at the club.
Ronaldo’s second stint at Manchester United concluded on a sour note after a fallout with manager Erik Ten Haag.
The Portuguese star reached an agreement with the club to terminate his contract by mutual consent in November 2022.
This decision followed Ronaldo’s public criticism of the club’s owner,manager Ten Hag,and his teammates, which aired in a viral interview with Piers Morgan.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s late heroics couldn’t rescue Al-Nassr from elimination in the AFC Champions League against Al-Ain, decided by penalties.
Despite having a home advantage and trailing 1-0 on aggregate, Al-Nassr faced an uphill battle. Soufiane Rahimi haunted them with two first-half goals, adding to his decisive strike in the first leg. Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s stoppage-time goal gave Al-Nassr hope before halftime.
The second half saw Otavio equalise, benefiting from Al-Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa’s errors. Cristiano Ronaldo missed a golden opportunity, but Al-Nassr managed to force extra time, with Alex Telles scoring to make it 3-2.
However, a red card for Ayman Ahmed turned the tide, and Al-Ain capitalised to score again. Ronaldo’s late penalty brought hope, but Al-Nassr fell short in the shootout, with Otavio missing a crucial spot-kick.
Despite Rahimi’s standout performance and Eisa’s errors, Al-Nassr couldn’t overturn the deficit. The goalkeeping errors proved costly, leaving Al-Nassr disappointed at being knocked out in the quarterfinals.
After this intense battle, Al-Nassr faces Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia in a Pro League fixture, with Ronaldo’s team currently trailing leaders Al-Hilal by12 points in the standings.
Al-Nassr suffered a 1-0 defeat against Al-Ain in the Asian Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s team aimed to maintain their unbeaten streak in the competition, but a lacklustre performance and a display of brilliance from Soufiane Rahimi led to their downfall.
Rahimi showcased composure as he bypassed David Ospina and scored despite being off balance.
Throughout the second half, Al-Ain controlled the game, with Ronaldo’s only chance being thwarted by a remarkable save from the opposing keeper.
Aymeric Laporte’s late red card further hindered Al-Nassr’s chances.
Rahimi played a significant role for Al-Ain, contributing to both attacks that resulted in goals.
Despite having a goal disallowed for offside, he eventually found the net with a stunning run past Laporte and Ospina.
Al-Nassr’s star players, including Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, failed to shine, with Ronaldo missing several opportunities.
Cristiano Ronaldo (CR 7) has been handed a one-match suspension by the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) for an alleged obscene gesture following Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory over Al Shabab.
The incident occurred after the final whistle, where Ronaldo was seen cupping his ear and making repeated hand motions in front of his pelvic area, seemingly directed towards rival Al Shabab supporters.
Chants of “Messi” could be heard in the background, alluding to Ronaldo’s long-time football rival from Argentina.
As per the committee’s decision, Ronaldo must pay a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666) to the Saudi Football Federation and an additional 20,000 riyals to Al Shabab to cover the costs of the complaint filing fees.
Notably, the committee emphasised that the ruling is not subject to appeal.
This isn’t the first time Ronaldo has been involved in such a controversy. In April 2023, the 39-year-old was seen appearing to grab his genitals after a league game against Al Hilal, which Al Nassr lost 2-0.
Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in December 2022, has been a standout performer, leading the league with 22 goals. In the recent match against Al Shabab, he scored the opener from a first-half penalty.
Al Nassr’s upcoming match is on Thursday, and Ronaldo’s absence will surely be felt as they pursue further success in the league.
Al Nassr currently lags behind fellow league leader Al Hilal by four points, despite having played one more game.
Additionally, the team finds itself in the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League, a tournament that Al Nassr has yet to secure victory in.
Erik ten Hag has emphasised the necessity for “hungry players” in the wake of the departures ofJadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.
It has been more than a year since the exit of Portugal’s superstar from the United ranks, with Ten Hag taking decisive action in response to Ronaldo’s public criticism of various aspects of the club, including the Dutch manager.
Although the Ronaldo issue eventually subsided, a new challenge emerged with Sancho, resulting in a public feud between player and manager. Once again, Ten Hag emerged victorious, with the winger being excluded and subsequently loaned back to Borussia Dortmund.
Having excluded two potentially problematic stars from his squad, Ten Hag underscores the significance of instilling discipline among his players.
He said in a press conference on United’s official channels: “It is that [important] if you want to perform; you need hungry players. I already said we need personality and players who are hungry to fight for the badge, to fight for this club and to do it within the team. It is not about discipline; this is normal behaviour. It is about that and what you can expect from a top professional.”
Conversely, on the flip side of the revolving exit door at Old Trafford, Ten Hag has embraced a cadre of promising talents whom he envisions as the bedrock of his team for an extended period.
But the Dutchman stressed patience in that regard, adding: “[With] talent, you need time, like the development you have seen from [Alejandro] Garnacho, from Kobbie Mainoo, and so, for instance, also from Rasmus Hojlund.
“He needs time, but in the same moment, I know we don’t have time, but I know this could happen. You need time to get that progress, and for me, it is not difficult. I see it as generational that this is how the process could go. Sometimes you need some moments to step up and get that belief in.”
Sancho wasted no time in leaving an impact upon his return to Germany, contributing an assist for the seasoned forward and close companion Marco Reus in Dortmund’s 3-0 triumph over Darmstadt on Saturday. This highlights the talent that Ten Hag was unable to tap into during his stint at Old Trafford.
Now, Ten Hag looks to players like Garnacho, Antony, Marcus Rashford, and others to step up and fill the scoring gap in what has been a goal-dry start to the campaign. In the league, only Burnley and Sheffield United have recorded fewer goals.
Later on Sunday, Ten Hag’s team is set to face Tottenham in the Premier League. Chelsea’s victory on Saturday propelled them past the Red Devils into eighth place, but a result other than a defeat for United would reclaim their position ahead of the West London counterparts.
Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo made a grand gesture for his mother, Maria Dolores Aveiro, during her 69th birthday celebrations. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star, upon returning home, spared no expense to treat his beloved mother.
In a touching moment on New Year’s Eve, Ronaldo presented her with a new Porsche Cayenne as a birthday gift.
The emotional surprise moved Maria Dolores Aveiro to tears, especially when she was led to the car by Ronaldo’s son, Cristiano Jr.
Ronaldo made a midnight journey from Saudi Arabia to be with his mother on December 31 in Madeira for her birthday celebration.
His sister, Katia Aveiro, later shared images on social media capturing the moment when Ronaldo surprised Maria Dolores with the new Porsche Cayenne.
The entire gathering was left in awe by this unexpected and generous birthday gift.
Katia also praised Ronaldo for his kindness in a message to her Instagram followers, stating: “If she is happy, it is because her son remembers her and not because of the value of the gift.
Honour your father and your mother and your days on earth will be long.”
Ronaldo is now set for a brief hiatus from football to spend time with his family.
His Saudi Pro League team, Al-Nassr, is not scheduled to play again until early February when they face off against Al Feiha in the AFC Champions League.
The 38-year-old center-forward concluded the year 2023 with a total of 54 goals for both club and country. This impressive tally included a goal in Al-Nassr’s final Saudi Pro League match against Al-Taawoun.
Cristiano Ronaldohas allegedly formally requested that Al-Nassr extend his current contract with them until 2027.
The 38-year-old forward, who became the world’s highest-paid footballer with a lucrative two-and-a-half-year deal in January, estimated at £177 million per year, is reportedly planning a two-year extension.
His current contract with the Saudi Pro League team is set to expire in 2025. Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, aims to continue playing until the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Al-Nassr is expected to make an official announcement soon to confirm Ronaldo’s request, as the player has experienced a career rejuvenation since joining the Saudi club.
In a related development, Cristiano Ronaldo has joined a group of investors committing over $40 million to develop UFL, a new free-to-play soccer video game.
Ronaldo, contributing financially to shape the game’s development, expressed excitement about being part of the project, which aims to redefine football gaming in the coming years.
Although no official release date has been announced for UFL, testing is set to begin in the autumn.
Previously, it was reported that Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne expressed his preference between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, choosing the “GOAT” and indicating whom he would prefer to play with.
Controversy surrounds Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo in Japan as the governor of Nagasaki, Kengo Oishi, allegedly used government funds to attend Ronaldo’s friendly against PSG in Osaka in July.
The match was played in Osaka, 732.1 kilometres from the Island off the coast of Japan by road. Oishi claims he purchased the ticket with his own money, but travel accommodations and travel funds came out of the government’s pocket.
Adding to the issue, the governor skipped an official meeting to attend the match, prompting demands for his resignation.
Oishi asserts the purpose was to discuss a potential role for Ronaldo in a future publicity event, but some officials dispute any existing deal with the Portuguese forward.
The incident has sparked a debate over Oishi’s intentions, with supporters arguing he acted in good faith for the city’s benefit.
The friendly ended in a 0-0 draw, and Al-Nassr’s next matches are scheduled for December 22 and 26.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, enjoys an 11-day break until his next game.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 50th goal of the year during Al Nassr’s King’s Cup quarterfinal triumph over rivals Al Shabab on Monday.
The 38-year-old marked this milestone by scoring Al Nassr’s fourth goal in their 5-2 victory. Ronaldo last achieved the feat in 2017, when he netted 53 times for Real Madrid.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been in prolific form, tallying 16 goals in 15 Saudi Pro League games this season.
Despite his individual success, Al Nassr trails league leader Al Hilal by seven points as the season reaches its midpoint.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are second in the Saudi Pro League, seven points behind leader Al Hilal. Mohammed Saad/Anadolu via Getty Images
In a notable milestone, Ronaldo played his 1,200th professional career match last Friday, contributing a goal and an assist in Al Nassr’s 4-1 win over Al Riyadh.
With a remarkable career tally of 869 goals, the former Manchester United forward continues to make significant contributions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R6vrI_1AxE
Looking ahead, Ronaldo and Al Nassr are set to face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the Riyadh Season Cup on February 1, 2024.
This encounter adds another chapter to the historic rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo, with their teams having faced off 36 times, resulting in 16 wins for Messi’s teams, 11 for Ronaldo’s teams, and nine draws.
Messi has 22 goals and 11 assists in these matches, while Ronaldo has notched 21 goals and one assist.
Al Nassr’s upcoming Saudi Pro League fixture is against Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq on December 22, where they aim to continue their pursuit of the league leaders.
Jon Rahm signed a huge deal with LIV Golf for over $300 million, making him the highest-paid athlete in the world.
The rebel tour supported by Saudi Arabia has signed up many famous players, like Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka, since it started in 2021. But getting Rahm to join is probably their most important achievement.
The Spaniard is the current winner of the Masters and is currently ranked third in the world. He helped Europe win the Ryder Cup this year with Rory McIlroy, but now it’s unclear if he can play in 2025.
Rahm has talked openly about not liking LIV in the past. He said in August that he never liked the league’s format. He changed his mind about supporting the PGA Tour by making a deal for the 2024 season.
When he joined LIV, the two-time major champion became the world’s highest-paid athlete, making more money than Cristiano Ronaldo, who also signed a big contract with the Gulf state.
He will make more money than Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi who recently signed big contracts with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. He will make at least four times as much.
Rahm has made more than $50 million in prize money from playing golf in his whole career and $15 million in just the past year. Top 5 athletes who earn the most money in 2023, as reported by Forbes.
1. Jon Rahm, a professional golfer, has a net worth of $300 million.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo, a football player, makes $136 million.
3. Lionel Messi, a soccer player, earned $130 million.
4. Kylian Mbappe, a football player, is worth $120 million.
5. LeBron James made $119. 5 million from playing basketball.
“The game of golf has changed a lot in the past two years and I have seen LIV Golf grow and become more innovative,” the 29-year-old said when announcing the move to Fox News.
That’s why I came here today. I made this decision for a lot of reasons and because I thought it was the best choice for me. I think it’s a really good offer, but I just want to make sure you understand.
I have been really happy, but there are many things that LIV Golf has that are very attractive. It was an amazing deal. The money is really good, it’s fantastic.
I’m telling the truth when I say I don’t play golf for the money. I love playing golf because I really enjoy the game.
‘But, as a husband, father, and family man, I have a responsibility to provide the best opportunities and resources for my family. ‘
The golfer who has won major tournaments two times is leaving at a very important time during the talks between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The Tour and PIF, who fund LIV and Newcastle United, surprised everyone by saying they might join together as one company. They hope to make a deal by the end of the year.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the chairman of PIF, was going to meet with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan for important discussions next week. But, the signing of Rahm to LIV could make it uncertain if they can make a deal.
Former Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta has acknowledged that working with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can be “challenging.”
Ronaldo made a remarkable move to Turin from Real Madrid in the summer of 2018, becoming one of the final marquee signings during Marotta’s tenure with the Bianconeri.
Across 134 appearances, Ronaldo scored 101 goals for Juventus, contributing to two Serie A titles and a Coppa Italia triumph.
Despite his on-field success, Ronaldo’s off-field dynamics posed challenges. Marotta, reflecting on bringing the iconic player to Juventus, shared insights into Ronaldo’s behind-the-scenes demeanour: “He was a very good player; he still is, and above all, he is a great champion.”
Marotta’s acknowledgment sheds light on the complex dynamics involved in working with a football icon of Ronaldo’s stature.
“The champion is that person who manages to convey his beliefs to his teammates. He was a bit of a leader of the team; he was the most famous and he dragged the others into the game. So, it was challenging, but he didn’t make me angry.”
Ronaldo did go on to ruffle feathers back at Manchester United, leading to his release in November 2022, with Paul Pogba doing likewise during his time at Old Trafford.
Marotta says the French midfielder was his most difficult piece of recruitment business when first taking him to Turin in 2012.
He added, “There is a player today who’s at Juventus called Pogba. It was a very complicated deal. Because he came from Manchester United, he hadn’t signed a contract, so there were many teams that wanted him. It was difficult to negotiate his purchase; it was very complex.”
Pogba returned to Juventus in 2022, but he has suffered a number of injury issues back in Italian football and is currently serving a ban after failing a drugs test. Ronaldo, meanwhile, is still going strong at the age of 38 with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr.
Rio Ferdinand’s claim thatLionel Messi unfollowed Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho after his impressive goal against Everton was met with a strong response from Garnacho’s brother, Roberto.
Following Garnacho’s standout performance, Ferdinand suggested that Messi unfollowed the winger on Instagram due to his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, Roberto Garnacho firmly countered this assertion, stating that Messi was never a follower of his brother on Instagram in the first place.
“Fake, Messi never followed him,” posted Roberto Garnacho on X (formerly Twitter), quoting a video of Ferdinand. “Stop making stuff up just to create hate; Garna [Alejandro Garnacho] loves and admires both of them and you all are trying (sic) to create a rivalry.”
Ferdinand replied to the post a few hours later, claiming, “Was sarcasm, bro?”
Argentinian players typically express clear preferences in the ongoing Messi vs. Ronaldo debate. However, Alejandro Garnacho presents a unique case.
Recently breaking into the Argentina squad and having only shared the field with Messi for a brief 16 minutes, Garnacho’s perspective is distinct.
As a former teammate of Ronaldo during the Portuguese star’s return to Old Trafford, training daily and playing alongside him on several occasions, the 19-year-old holds a profound respect for both of these modern football greats.
AsManchester United faces Galatasaray in Istanbul on Wednesday night, the GOAT debate is likely to be the least of concerns for the talented young winger.
Erik ten Hag’s team is in desperate need of a positive result to salvage their struggling Champions League campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his satisfaction with his team’s accomplishments, despite the 0-0 draw against Persepolis in the AFC Champions League on Monday.
In the match played on their home turf, Ronaldo’s squad failed to secure a goal, even after being granted a penalty in the early stages when the Portuguese star was fouled in the box.
Notably, the 38-year-old personally informed the referee that no foul had occurred, leading to a VAR review that ultimately reversed the decision.
Despite taking just a point from the game, Ronaldo expressed his delight on social media. He wrote, “Happy that we qualified first in our group and to have achieved 20 games unbeaten. Great Teamwork.”
Cristiano Ronaldo waved off his own penalty against Persepolis, telling the referee himself he didn't believe it was a foul. 👀
The draw secured Al-Nassr’s advancement to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League.
They are set to lead the group, as Persepolis trails by five points with only one match remaining in the competition’s initial round.
Looking ahead, Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr teammates aim to sustain their unbeaten streak as they resume Saudi Pro League play against Al-Hilal on Friday.
Notably, Al-Hilal currently holds the top spot in the league, maintaining a four-point lead over Al-Nassr.
The museum showcases a wax figure adorned in a complete Al-Nassr kit, alongside Ronaldo’s significant trophies and personal memorabilia.
In an online video, Ronaldo can be seen exploring various sections of the museum, reliving moments from his illustrious career. Notably, he paused to take a photograph with the wax figure.
Time Out Riyadh reports that the museum draws inspiration from the life story and career of the Al Nassr player.
Formerly associated with Real Madrid and Manchester United, Ronaldo appeared joyous as he revisited some of his most cherished football memories.
With two decades of playing the sport, he has amassed a wealth of incredible experiences.
أسطورة كرة القدم كريستيانو رونالدو يفتتح متحفه الخاص CR7 في #بوليفارد_سيتي 😍❤️
The legacy of football Cristiano Ronaldo inaugurates the CR7 museum that features his life story …😍🇸🇦
The inauguration of the museum coincided with the Riyadh Season festival, part of the ongoing festivities that commenced in October and are anticipated to continue into early next year.
Ronaldo, who made the move to the Middle East earlier this year amid reported discord withManchester United manager Erik ten Hag, has been prolific in scoring for his club and recently secured his first trophy.
Having opened another museum in Portugal on his home island of Madeira in 2013, the Portugal star continues to make his mark in the football world.
In his 27 appearances for the SPL giants, Ronaldo has notched an impressive 32 goals and provided 11 assists, as per Transfermarkt. This season, he leads the goal-scoring charts with 15 goals from 13 games.
Cristiano Ronaldo was visibly upset during a heated exchange with Jordan Henderson following Al-Nassr’s cup victory over Al-Ettifaq on Tuesday.
Both former Premier League stars, who had highly successful tenures at Manchester United and Liverpool, engaged in a verbal dispute after Al-Nassr secured a thrilling 1-0 win over Al-Ettifaq.
Sadio Mane netted the decisive goal in extra time at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, propelling Al-Nassr into the quarterfinals of the King Cup of Champions.
After the final whistle, Ronaldo confronted Henderson, seemingly expressing his frustration with the match officials.
Ronaldo made several gestures in the midfielder’s direction and engaged in an intense face-off before making his way towards the tunnel.
Their animated conversation continued as they left the pitch.
Henderson managed to avoid a red card during the match, despite deliberately pushing Portuguese international Otavio to the ground on two occasions after Ali Hazazi had fouled the winger.
This incident triggered a heated confrontation on the field involving players from both Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq, but only Hazazi was shown a red card, and Henderson emerged unscathed.
This encounter marked the firsttime Ronaldo and Henderson had shared the same pitch since Manchester United’s home game against Liverpool on August 22, which concluded with a 2-1 victory for the home team.
Ronaldo departed Old Trafford three months later and joined Al-Nassr in the new year, while Henderson made his move to Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool in July.
Al-Nassr is set to face Al-Khaleej on Saturday, while Al-Ettifaq will host Al-Raed in the Saudi Pro League on the same day.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son has reached an agreement to join the Under-13 team of Al-Nassr and aspires to eventually play alongside his father in the senior side.
According to information from Fabrizio Romano, the iconic footballer’s son has formalised a deal with the youth team of the Riyadh club and is set to commence training with his new teammates in the coming days.
🇵🇹 Understand Al Nassr have decided for Cristiano Ronaldo jr to start training with U-15 squad despite being 13 year old.
The 13-year-old has been honing his skills in Saudi Arabia since his father’s transfer to Al-Nassr in January of this year.
He has now taken a significant step forward by becoming a part of the academy of the Pro League team.
CR7 Jr
In a move that further echoes his father’s legacy, the young player will proudly wear the No. 7 jersey, which has become synonymous with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The youngster even hopes to realise his dream of playing alongside his dad, as Ronaldo said in 2019: “Sometimes, my son tells me, ‘Dad, hold on for a few more years; I want to play with you’. But that will be difficult.”
Ronaldo and son
Ronaldo is currently 38 years old, and there is uncertainty about whether he will still be actively playing when his son becomes eligible for the first team.
Ronaldo and Al-Nassr will be back in action on Saturday as they face Damac in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains in excellent form, as evidenced by his recent achievement of reaching 127 international goals in another impressive victory for Portugal during the Euro 2024 qualification campaign.
Despite their prior triumph in the 2016 tournament, Portugal has already secured their spots for the upcoming summer competition in Germany.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or recipient, continues to defy his age by setting an extraordinary example on the field.
At 38 years of age, he has now amassed 200 appearances for his national team, further solidifying his status as a record-breaking goal scorer in men’s international football.
In a commanding performance on Monday, Portugal defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0, with Ronaldo contributing two more goals to his remarkable tally.
CR7
Reacting to that success on social media, Ronaldo has said, “Another win and great play by the whole team. First place in the group is guaranteed! We are still going strong!”
Ronaldo’s exceptional form extends to his club performance this season, as he has notched an impressive 17 goals in as many appearances for Al-Nassr, a Saudi Arabian team.
Reports suggest that this football legend is eager to extend his extraordinary career, both at the domestic and international levels, with the goal of participating in the2026 World Cup finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly facing a sentence of 99 lashes in Iran on charges of adultery following an incident during his travels with Al-Nassr for an AFC Champions League match against Persepolis.
While in Iran, Ronaldo met with Iranian painter Fatima Hamami, who is paralysed and a dedicated fan of the football star.
During their meeting, Ronaldo received a painting from the artist and shared a hug, which has led to a criminal complaint in Iran.
In the country, physical contact with a woman who is not your spouse is considered adultery.
According to the report in Mundo Deportivo, several Iranian lawyers filed the complaint, resulting in a swift response from the judicial system, which sentenced the 38-year-old Ronaldo to 99 lashes.
While the sentence will not affect his current travels, ifAl-Nassr progresses to the next round of the competition and faces a club from Iran, Ronaldo may be at risk of arrest and serving his sentence should he set foot in Iranian territory again.
In August, the 38-year-old managed to score five goals and provide two assists for his Saudi team, earning him the Player of the Month accolade.
He has now continued his impressive run in September, tallying another five goals and three assists. Ronaldo’s exceptional form has propelled Al-Nassr to fourth place in the league standings with six consecutive victories, rebounding from two losses in mid-August.
Despite his advancing age, the Portuguese international continues to showcase his goal-scoring prowess.
He not only leads the Saudi league as its top scorer with 10 goals this season but also shines as Portugal’s primary goal-getter with five goals in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Remarkably, Ronaldo has already outperformed his goal tally from the previous season with Al-Nassr, having netted 17 goals in just 16 matches, compared to 14 goals in 19 games last term.
Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are set to face Abha in the league this Friday afternoon. Should results go in their favour later this week, they may ascend to the top of the league table.
Manchester United icon Gary Neville expressed his regret over how Cristiano Ronaldo’s second stint at the club ended in an interview with Marca.
Ronaldo’s departure from the Red Devils occurred in November 2022, following a mutual agreement, after he gave an outspoken interview with Piers Morgan.
In that interview, he openly criticised both United and manager Erik ten Hag.
“I wish it hadn’t ended like that,” Neville said. “I wish he had stayed, and they had found a way to cope with each other until the end of the season. But it became impossible once he did the interview with Piers Morgan. It was so public at the time that there was only one outcome.”
Gary and CR7 Utd
Neville was very critical of Ronaldo and his lack of proactive leadership during his last stint at Old Trafford.
“I love Cristiano; he probably doesn’t love me for what I said,” he said. “But I would like to think that in five to 10 years he will understand that my comments came from a good place. I wanted him to understand that when you get to 35 or 36, the younger players in the locker room and the less talented players rely on you to take them with you; that there are different ways to be a mentor, a coach and a father in some ways.
“He is still my favourite player of all time and the one I like the most when I talk about who is the greatest of all time. I know that many people would say [Lionel]Messi, but I love Cristiano.”
His second stint began on a high note, with the Portuguese star scoring twice in his homecoming match against Newcastle.
However, Manchester United’s performance gradually declined, leading to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal just four months into the 2021–22 season.
The former United manager has since acknowledged that his choice to bring Ronaldo back was a regrettable decision, and he has offered insights into the circumstances that ultimately led to the unfortunate conclusion of his tenure.
Speaking to The Athletic, Solskjaer said: “It was a decision that was very difficult to turn down and I felt we had to take it, but it turned out wrong.
It felt so right when he signed and the fans felt that at that Newcastle game when Old Trafford was rocking (after Ronaldo scored twice in a 4-1 win). He was still one of the best goal scorers in the world, and he was looking strong.
“When I looked at the fixtures, it was going to be a deciding period: Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Leicester away. Then Chelsea and Arsenal, plus Champions League games Things went against us.
“It started with Aston Villa at home (a 1-0 defeat) and a late penalty miss. When you have a group, you need everyone to pull in the same direction. When things didn’t go right, you could see certain players and egos come out. We beat Tottenham convincingly 3-0 away, but then we lost two games.”
In his first season back atManchester United, Ronaldo scored 24 goals and contributed three assists in 38 appearances. However, despite his efforts, the team recorded its lowest-ever Premier League points total.
Subsequently, Erik ten Hag was brought in to replace Solskjaer, and during the early stages of the 2022–23 season, Ronaldo found himself sidelined.
The Portuguese striker attracted controversy both on and off the field as he expressed frustration about his limited playing time. His situation escalated after a contentious interview with Piers Morgan, in which he criticised Ten Hag and his teammates. This eventually led to the termination of his contract by mutual agreement, and Ronaldo subsequently joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, contributing to a trend of top European talent heading to the Middle East.
Ten Hag’s team, which has won only twice in their first five Premier League matches, is set to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Ronaldo will return to action in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Nassr against Al-Ahli Saudi on Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made an early return to Al-Nassr after being sidelined for the Portugal national team due to a suspension. Despite the setback, he has received commendation from Goncalo Ramos.
Ronaldo will be absent from Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Luxembourg following a suspension resulting from a yellow card he received during a 1-0 victory over Slovakia last Friday.
The 38-year-old’s actions, particularly a reckless challenge that saw him make contact with the face of his former Manchester United teammate and Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, raised eyebrows.
Nevertheless, veteran international colleague and Paris Saint-Germain striker Ramos has lauded Ronaldo’s contributions. Ronaldo has promptly returned to Saudi Arabia to resume his club duties at Al-Nassr.
Ramos told reporters: “Cris [Ronaldo] always gives great support; he has been with the team until today [Sunday], supporting us and helping in whatever way he can, but at this moment he has already returned to his club.”
Portugal are on course to qualify for Euro 2024 as they have won all five of their group stage matches so far and are five points clear of second-placed Slovakia and third-placed Luxembourg with five games to play.
