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Cristiano Ronaldo has firmly denied rumors linking him to a Club World Cup appearance this summer, confirming that he will not join any participating team in the tournament, despite interest from several clubs.
Speaking on Saturday at a press conference ahead of Portugal’s Nations League final clash with Spain in Munich, the legendary forward addressed speculation surrounding his future as he approaches the end of his contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
“I will not be at the Club World Cup,” Ronaldo said, shutting down rumors of a potential move. “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.”
Ronaldo’s Contract With Al-Nassr Nearing Expiry
The 39-year-old Portuguese international has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks after a cryptic social media post in May, in which he stated, “The chapter is over.” The post fueled theories that he was preparing to leave Al-Nassr, where his contract officially ends in June 2025.
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Reports had suggested that Ronaldo might make a surprise switch to Al Hilal, another major Saudi club and a confirmed participant in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States this June.
However, Ronaldo clarified that while he had been approached by several clubs, he has no intention of making a short-term move purely to appear in the tournament.
“I’m not interested in short-term decisions for quick appearances,” he said. “My focus is on legacy and stability.”
Club World Cup Rumors Put to Rest
The 32-team Club World Cup, set to be hosted in the U.S. from June 15 to July 13, is attracting global attention with top clubs such as Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Al Hilal among the participants. Ronaldo’s absence will be notable, especially given his past successes in the competition with Real Madrid, where he won the title four times.
Though fans speculated about a nostalgic return or a strategic shift to a participating club, Ronaldo appeared to dismiss such narratives altogether.
“It’s flattering to be wanted, even at this stage of my career,” he said. “But the next chapter will be written with purpose, not pressure.”
Focus Remains on Portugal and Long-Term Plans
Ronaldo emphasized that his immediate priority is helping Portugal win the Nations League, with their final against Spain set for Sunday. He also hinted that while a final decision about his club career is not yet public, it is “almost final.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner did not give any specifics on whether he plans to extend his time at Al-Nassr, return to Europe, or pursue other opportunities. However, he made it clear that he’s looking beyond short-term tournaments and thinking carefully about how he wants to close out his illustrious career.
“I’ve had a long, beautiful career, and I want the final chapters to reflect that. You can’t chase everything — you need to choose the right moments.”
Future Still Open, But Not for Club World Cup
While Ronaldo’s comments left some doors open regarding his long-term future, the message regarding the Club World Cup was unequivocal — he will not be participating.
This decision rules out any last-minute transfer or short-term contract that might have allowed him to play in the U.S.-based competition, dashing fans’ hopes of seeing the icon on that global stage once again.
