As Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to point out, he has spent his storied career playing for the "most important" clubs in Europe. That also meant playing in the most popular leagues in the world in England, Spain and Italy for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. His move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, however, signals a step into the unknown. The Saudi Pro League is unlikely to have been on the radar of the majority of his loyal following, but it is where the next and likely last chapter of his career will be played out after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al Nassr. He will also hope to compete in the Asian Champions League next season if his new club qualifies for the biggest competition in Asian soccer. "In Europe my work is done," Ronaldo said when presented by Al Nassr in Riyadh on Tuesday. But what can the 37-year-old five-time Champions League winner expect from Saudi soccer? "I know the league is very competitive. People don't know that, but I know bec
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Portugal were denied a berth in the semifinals after they suffered a 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Morocco in Doha
Cristiano Ronaldo said in a cryptic social media post that his dream of winning the World Cup with Portugal has ended, while stopping short of announcing his retirement from international duty. The 37-year-old Ronaldo left the field in tears after Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarterfinals on Saturday. In his first comments after the elimination, Ronaldo said Sunday that it was time to take stock without saying explicitly if he wants to carry on being available for Portugal after 19 years in the national team. There's no point in reacting rashly, Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. I just want everybody to know that a lot has been said, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated about, but my dedication to Portugal has never wavered for an instant. I've always been just one more (Portuguese) fighting for everyone's goal. I would never turn my back on my teammates or my country. Ronaldo, who is the all-time leading scorer in men's international soccer with 118 goals, said put
Fifa World Cup, Morocco vs Portugal Quarterfinal Highlights: It was yet another surprising day in history as Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
It may have been a rest day at the World Cup on Thursday but there was no stopping the football discussion that never ends - who is the better player, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
To Bruno Fernandes, World Cup teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is the most famous athlete in sports. Joao Felix has described Ronaldo as "irreplaceable." Gonalo Ramos, Portugal's new 21-year-old star, has never known his national team without Ronaldo involved in it. A future without the country's greatest ever player could be a daunting prospect to the up-and-coming generation of Portugal internationals. They aren't showing it at the World Cup. In fact, they showed they might even be liberated by stepping out of Ronaldo's long shadow given the way Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 in the round of 16 on Tuesday. Turns out there is life after the five-time world player of the year, even if that is hard for some to imagine. Portugal coach Fernando Santos wanted a team playing with a lot of fluidity against Switzerland and that invariably meant leaving the 37-year-old Ronaldo the player with more goals (118) than anyone in men's international soccer on the bench. It was a big call and
With Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, the superstar striker's replacement scored a hat trick to lead Portugal over Switzerland 6-1 and into the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday. Goncalo Ramos, a 21-year-old forward who only made his Portugal debut last month, made his first start for his country and demonstrated the kind of clinical finishing Ronaldo was once known for. Ramos scored the opening goal in the 17th minute and added others in the 51st and 67th by which time chants of RONALDO! RONALDO! were swirling around the 89,000-seat Lusail Stadium. The 37-year-old Ronaldo entered as a substitute in the 72nd minute to loud cheers, though Portugal had the game wrapped up by then with defenders Pepe and Raphael Guerreiro also scoring. Rafael Leao added a another goal in stoppage time. Manuel Akanji scored for Switzerland. Portugal advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time, after 1966 and 2006, and will play Morocco on Saturday. Portugal coach Fernando Santos now has to deci
Portugal manager Fernando Santos said that omitting star striker Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting team was a "game strategy"
Fifa World Cup, POR vs SUI Round of 16 Highlights: It was a night to remember for Portugal's Goncalo Ramos as he scored a hattrick, helping his team thrash Switzerland 6-1 and reach the last 8.
The penalty helped Portugal break deadlock and, in the process, Ronaldo also became the first player in the history of world football to score goals in each of his five editions of the tournament
Ghana coach Otto Addo criticized the American referee who awarded the penalty that resulted in Cristiano Ronaldo's record goal at the World Cup, calling it a special gift. Ronaldo won and converted the second-half penalty, making him the first male player to score in five World Cups. Portugal went on to beat Ghana 3-2 on Thursday. If somebody scores a goal, congratulations. But this was really a gift. Really a gift, Addo said. What more can I say? (It was) a special gift from the referee. Addo's criticism of American referee Ismail Elfath was so direct that it could put him into trouble with FIFA. When asked what he thought was the reason for Ghana's narrow defeat, Addo responded: The referee. Addo felt Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu didn't foul Ronaldo for the penalty, and he complained that the officials didn't use VAR to make sure. Salisu's thigh appeared to make slight contact with Ronaldo's leg before the Portugal captain went sprawling to the ground. The 37-year-old Ronald
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Cristiano Ronaldo closed his eyes, took in a deep breath and then made World Cup history. The Portugal striker became the first male player to score at five World Cups with his 65th-minute penalty in a 3-2 win over Ghana on Thursday. Andre Ayew equalised for Ghana eight minutes later, but Joao Felix regained the lead for Portugal in the 78th and Rafael Leao added a third. Osman Bukari reduced Ghana's deficit in the 89th. The 37-year-old Ronaldo was looking to showcase his talents to potential new clubs after having his contract terminated at Manchester United this week. After wasting two good chances in the first half, he tumbled under a challenge by Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu to earn a penalty. Wheeling away after the ball struck the back of the net, a smiling Ronaldo performed his usual leap and swivel in the air the crowd roared his trademark SI-UUU as he did the pirouette before getting mobbed by teammates. He has now scored in every World Cup since his first in 2006 and
Star striker and former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed over a two-match ban and a fine of £50,000 for hitting mobile phone out of a fan's hand in Everton earlier this year
The Glazer family is working with financial advisers on the process, which could also lead to a partial sale of the club or investments including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment
Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United by mutual agreement with immediate effect, the communication department of the team informed in a release, on November 22
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In the interview, Ronaldo had criticized the club and said that he has "no respect" for its manager ten Hag.