Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will not participate in the upcoming Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States starting June 14. This decision comes despite interest from several different teams.
The Al-Nassr forward`s contract status is currently uncertain, potentially leading to a departure from his current club. This lack of clarity regarding his future had sparked speculation that Ronaldo might sign a short-term deal with another team specifically for the tournament before finalizing his long-term plans.
However, speaking ahead of Portugal`s UEFA Nations League final against Spain, Ronaldo addressed these rumors directly.
“I will not be at the Club World Cup,” Ronaldo stated. “Some teams reached out to me. Some made sense and others did not, but you can`t try and do everything. You can`t catch every ball.”
Among the clubs reportedly showing interest was Al-Hilal, also from the Saudi Pro League. A potential move between these two clubs, both owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, generated significant discussion and could be seen as potentially problematic given Ronaldo`s stature. Brazilian clubs and Mexico`s Monterrey were also linked with the player.
Reports indicate that Ronaldo is currently in discussions with the PIF and senior Saudi officials regarding his contract situation, as there is a strong desire to keep the star player in Saudi Arabia. Al-Nassr has reportedly offered assurances to strengthen the team, with potential targets including players like Luiz Diaz and David Hanko, to improve their chances of competing for the league title.
These efforts by Al-Nassr and the Saudi officials might be enough to persuade him to stay. However, one aspect is now clear: at this stage, they know he will not be playing in the Club World Cup elsewhere.
